Society

Two Italian priests abducted in Cameroon

Two Italian priests and a Canadian nun were abducted by an armed man in northern Cameroon. This information has already been confirmed by the archbishop and local authorities. So far, the police find it difficult to answer who is behind this crime, although the Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram, which has special influence in this region, has come under suspicion of investigators.

“At midnight, the doors of the church were hacked by unknowns, and the clergy were abducted. We don’t know where they are, but we can guess whose hands it is, ”said Archbishop Phillippe Stevens, who leads the community where priests disappeared. He also named the names of the abductees. They turned out to be Giampaolo Marta and Gianantonio Allegri, who were sent to the region to fulfill a special mission, as well as nun Gilberte Bissier (Gilberte Bissiere). Meanwhile, a spokesman for Pope Francis confirmed that the pontiff had been notified of the incident and that he was praying for the abductees. One Cameroonian official stated that armed groups were currently trying to free the hostages, but did not provide any additional details about the operation.

Last month, Allegri sent a letter to his diocese informing him that local authorities had advised him to move with the police for security reasons.

“Even if you don’t notice the obvious on the very surface, what is especially disturbing can be understood from our experiences and our conversations,” the archbishop wrote in a message dated March 12.

The diocese’s website, which includes the abducted clergyman, states that he and Martha were sent to Cameroon to negotiate with the local authorities to improve water quality, as well as possible methods of fighting AIDS. The Italian Foreign Ministry has already stated that it has contacted Cameroonian colleagues and are now trying to help the abducted.

Boko Haram, a radical sect from Nigeria, is implicated in the killing of thousands of people. Members of this movement advocate the introduction of Sharia in all of Nigeria, as well as for the total eradication of all manifestations and signs of the Western way of life. About five years ago, it was Boko Haram who initiated riots in the very north of the country and attacked Christian churches. In 2010, the sect conducted another series of attacks on churches, resulting in at least 30 injured. In 2011, similar actions by Boko Haram claimed the lives of 150 Christians and police officers.

In February 2013, a sect abducted a seven-member French family that spent holidays in northern Cameroon. The hostages were released only in April. French authorities denied that they had to pay Boko Haram a ransom for abducted citizens, although reliable sources said the opposite. According to some reports, the sect received $ 3.15 million for the stolen family. Last November, an unknown group was taken hostage by a French priest in the same region of Cameroon. The clergyman was released a month later.

Watch the video: Cameroon: Kidnapped Italian priests named (November 2024).

Popular Posts

Category Society, Next Article

Neuschwanstein Castle
Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle should be one of the first attractions on your list to visit in Bavaria. This elegant, swan-like beautiful creature is a figment of the imagination and dreams of Ludwig II of Bavaria, the "fairy king". Neuschwanstein Castle The Bavarian Neuschwanstein Castle (Schloß Neuschwanstein) is located near the city of Füssen in Germany.
Read More
Berlin TV Tower
Germany

Berlin TV Tower

The TV tower is Berlin's most recognizable landmark, a symbol of the capital. It must be visited for three reasons: it is the tallest building in the capital; it offers stunning views of the city; upstairs there is a revolving restaurant for romantics. Berlin TV Tower (Berliner Fernsehturm), photo by Arnaud Martinez The Berlin TV Tower (Berliner Fernsehturm) is located in the city center near Alexanderplatz.
Read More
Church of St. Maximilian in Dusseldorf
Germany

Church of St. Maximilian in Dusseldorf

One of the oldest and most famous among the pilgrims of the Catholic churches is the Church of St. Maximilian. It was attended by such famous people as Heinrich Heine, and the composer Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdi, Robert Schumann, served. Organ of St. Maximilian Church, photo CGilles7 One of the oldest and most famous pilgrims of the Catholic churches is the Church of St. Maximilian (St.
Read More
Braitestrasse
Germany

Braitestrasse

Braytestrasse - this cozy pedestrian street runs parallel to Schildergasse, next to the Opera House. Here are shops selling furniture, home decoration, clothes, shoes, jewelry and leather goods. Breite Straße Breite Straße - This cozy pedestrian street in Cologne runs parallel to Schildergasse, next to the Opera House.
Read More