Burundi official calls for laicization of bishops over election message
FREE Catholic Classes
Government officials in Burundi have accused the country's bishops of spreading hatred and division following a message from the bishops warning of violence and corruption in the country's election preparations.
Burundis President Pierre Nkurunziza
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
9/24/2019 (4 years ago)
Published in Africa
Keywords: ELECTIONS, GITEGA, BURUNDI, MIDDLE EAST - AFRICA
Gitega, Burundi, (CNA) - Government officials in Burundi have accused the country's bishops of spreading hatred and division following a message from the bishops warning of violence and corruption in the country's election preparations.
According to AFP, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Burundi released a letter voicing concern over efforts to "suffocate" certain political parties ahead of the May 20 presidential election.
The letter, which was read in churches over the weekend, warned that "[c]riminal acts go as far as murders with political motives ... perpetuated against those with different opinions of the government," AFP reported.
The bishops also warned that the Imbonerakure - the youth wing of the ruling party - had replaced security forces in the country. UN investigators have accused the Imbonerakure of widespread human rights abuses, including murder, rape, torture, and arbitrary detainment against political opponents.
In response to the letter, Evariste Ndayishimiye, secretary-general of the ruling party, accused the bishops of "sowing division" and "spread[ing] hatred."
"Some bishops should be defrocked because it is becoming a habit: on the eve of elections they spit their venomous hatred through incendiary messages," said presidential spokesman Willy Nyamitwe on Twitter.
A United Nations report earlier this year warned that the 2020 elections in Burundi "pose a major risk" for atrocity crimes. It pointed to red flags including increasing government control, a lack of a true multi-party system, suppression of free press, and a climate of intimidation against those who oppose the ruling CNDD-FDD party.
Burundi's current president, Pierre Nkurunziza, took power in 2005 following a peace agreement ending a civil war in the country.
Burundi's last presidential election, held in 2015, was marred by protests, an attempted coup, and grenade attacks, with much of the unrest sparked by anger over Nkurunziza's decision to seek a third term, which the opposition said was unconstitutional.
Some 1,200 people were believed to have been killed in the violence that followed the election, and over 400,000 people were displaced from their homes, AFP reports.
In 2018, voters approved a new constitution allowing Nkurunziza to run for two more seven-year terms. However, Nkurunziza said last year that he would not seek re-election. Still, concerns remain high, with the United Nations calling for vigilance in the months leading up to the election.
Poverty in Burundi is widespread, with the majority of the population facing food shortages.
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
St. Faustina Kowalska
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Saint of the Day for Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
-
Popular Saints
-
St. Francis of Assisi
-
Bible
-
Female / Women Saints
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Ray Dalio Warns of Potential Civil War, Advises Moving Assets Abroad
-
Understanding Pentecost: A Celebration of the Holy Spirit in the Catholic Tradition
-
Did you know the Catholic Church has a birthday?
-
Catholic Bishops Call for Civil Dialogue Amid Church Polarization
-
Pope Francis Emphasizes Charity as the Pinnacle of Christian Love
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Sunday, May 19, 2024
- St. Celestine: Saint of the Day for Sunday, May 19, 2024
- Prayer to St. Gabriel, for Others: Prayer of the Day for Friday, May 10, 2024
- Daily Readings for Saturday, May 18, 2024
- St. Pope John I: Saint of the Day for Saturday, May 18, 2024
- Prayer for Travelers: Prayer of the Day for Thursday, May 09, 2024
Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.