In Burkina Faso, catechists are the heroes of the Church
Catechists, often at the risk to their own lives, are pillars of the Church in Burkina Faso. Despite the continuous terrorist threats against them, they assure, in the absence of priests, the continuity of faith in villages and displacement camps. In an interview with ACN, a priest from the Diocese of Kaya explains that being a catechist means giving yourself entirely, guided by unshakeable faith and a desire to provide tireless service to the Christian community.
“Catechists are the heroes of the Church in Burkina Faso,” says Fr Edgard Ouedraogo, Director of the Centre of Formation of Catechists of the Diocese of Kaya, to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). The presentation of a crucifix to the catechist during the rite of institution has a special significance in Burkina Faso today and points to the reality of the catechist’s life. Fr Ouedraogo explains: “Among pastoral workers, it is the catechists who are the most exposed and who are paying the heaviest price in the terrorist war – there have been more martyrs among them than among priests.”
In many countries in the Sahel, catechists play a central role at the heart of the Church, particularly in areas without priests. Since the beginning of terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso in 2015, their mission has become even more essential. While many priests have been displaced, parish life is maintained in many places only thanks to the commitment of catechists. “It is they who take over from the priests in the villages and displacement camps. It is they who preside at Sunday celebrations in the priests’ absence, who take care of catechesis, who encourage the population to pray the rosary and even the office, and who are present at the bedsides of the sick. Where we are, we can’t do without the catechists,” says the priest.
A formation as in seminary
It is therefore not for nothing that their formation is demanding. During the four years of formation the family of the future catechist lives in community with other families of future catechists. Their common prayer life is like that of a seminary: Mass, lauds, sext, vespers, compline, rosary, adoration…sometimes the wives of future catechists undergo the same training as their husbands and are later given the task of leading the Christian community neighbouring their husbands’.
When you ask Fr Ouedrago about are the reasons that would push a person to become a catechist in Burkina Faso today, despite the risk to his life, the Director of the Centre of Formation replies: “You have to be deeply convinced to take on this service. These are people prepared to offer their lives right to the end for Christ.” This gift of self is shown in the fact that the catechists, who are not paid, must rely entirely on divine providence. Fr Ouedraogo emphasises that the catechist is so devoted to his service to the Christian community that he doesn’t have time to cultivate land and therefore has no stable income to feed his family. “If the community can support the catechist, it does, but very often it is the other way around: especially in difficult times, he is the one people often ask to help other Christians.”
This is why the Holy Father is asking people to support catechists and why for years ACN has been supporting them through many projects in Burkina Faso, for many years and especially this Christmas. The foundation especially helps them with formation projects and takes care of feeding them and educating their children.
Fr Ouedraogo wishes to send a message of thanks to ACN’s benefactors, a message likewise coming from the local Church of his Diocese of Kaya: “The Church in Burkina Faso, and particularly in my diocese, could not show the compassionate face of Christ to the faithful without the support of ACN and its benefactors. If the Church is not missionary, she has no reason to exist. Without the help of ACN, pastoral agents could not pass on their faith! Because of insecurity we would be confronted with an even more acute food crisis, the situation would be even more catastrophic. We are very grateful for all the help which we receive from you, and we pray for you, that the Lord may bless your foundation and the benefactors!”
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