Bishops, imams in accord
Pledge to separate religion and politics

Catholic and Muslim leaders in Ivory Coast have agreed that mixing politics with religion is dangerous, and pledged to work together to avoid religious conflict.

Archbishop Bernard Agre of Abidjan has called on Christians to help rebuild mosques and Muslims to help rebuild churches destroyed during an outbreak of violence following the country’s October 22 elections. The call was made during a Mass on November 2, celebrated in St. Paul’s Cathedral, which was also attended by the President Laurent Gbagbo. During the Mass prayers were offered for the more than 200 victims killed in clashes, first due to an attempt by General Robert Guei to falsify election results, and then by the followers of former premier Alassane Ouattara, who wanted a re-vote because their leader had been excluded from the presidential contest.

The papal nuncio, Archbishop Mario Zenari, reported that Catholic and Muslim leaders “have spoken several times, also making television appeals, calling for these attacks on places of worship to stop. They are not worthy of believers.” The nuncio said that Muslims in the Abobo district of Abidjan joined Christians to defend a small Catholic church, which was being threatened by an angry mob of Quattara’s supporters.

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