In Somalia, a tiny Catholic community brings a glimmer of hope
Torn apart by war, famine, and terrorism, Somalia saw the consecration of its sole Catholic church last summer.
Bishop Giorgio Bertin, the apostolic administrator of Mogadishu, stands outside St. Anthony of Pandua Church in Hargeisa, Somalia. The new church opened in August of last year. (Photo courtesy of Bishop Bertin)
March 21, 2017 01:49 EST
Fredrick Nzwili
Last August, Bishop Giorgio Bertin, bishop of Djibouti and apostolic administrator of Mogadishu, consecrated the Church of St. Anthony of Padua, the only Catholic church in Somalia.
The small church is in the city of Hargeisa, in the northwest of the country. Its opening signaled a new chapter for the tiny Christian community in the war-torn country, which is the home-base of Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda affiliate in East Africa.
The Islamist militant group has continued to pose a threat to Christians in region, carrying out suicide attacks locally while exporting its form of terror to neighboring countries.
In Somalia, the Islamists have targeted all sectors, from civilians to military personnel and diplomats. Christians in particular have been singled out, forcing them into what are essentially underground communities.
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Blog/5512/in_somalia_a_tiny_catholic_community_brings_a_glimmer_of_hope.aspx
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