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Central African RepublicHostile
Christian Persecution in Central African Republic
Overview:
Christians have suffered greatly from the civil war that began in 2012. They are targeted and attacked by Muslim rebels and their sympathizers, who accuse them of assisting militias that have carried out revenge killings against Muslims. Christians are among the most vulnerable in the country’s conflict, at times being driven from their towns and villages as attackers loot and destroy their homes and churches. In one town, 58,000 Christians who have been displaced by repeated attacks since 2011 are still living in refugee camps, and all churches within a 60-mile radius of the town have been destroyed. Rebels continue to shoot into the camp at night, and those who wander outside the town to tend their farms — their only means of livelihood — are sometimes killed. Churches are often the only ones caring for the hundreds of thousands who have been displaced in the conflict. While the CAR’s civil war has presented opportunities for Christians to display Christ’s love to a ravaged nation, indigenous churches need support from the larger body of Christ.
Major Religion:
70 percent of the population identifies as Christian. The remainder of the populace are predominantly Sunni Muslims, though many who name themselves either Muslim or Christian continue to practice animistic tribal beliefs.
Persecutor:
Christians who actively share their faith suffer intense violence at the hands of Muslim rebels.
What It Means To Follow Christ In Central African Republic:
Because of the civil war between rebel groups that publicly identify themselves as “Muslim” or “Christian,” some have struggled to distinguish between political violence and religious persecution. However, attacks targeting churches, Christian families and pastors because of their Christian witness and other activities of biblical faith have become common. In a four-week period in 2017, five pastors were murdered by Islamist Seleka rebels in targeted attacks to eliminate their witness for Christ.
Access To Bibles:
Bibles are routinely destroyed by Islamist rebels. While they can be purchased in the capital, most people cannot afford them. Give Bibles
VOM Work:
VOM is serving more than 80,000 Christians who have been driven from their homes and villages. Give to VOM’s Global Ministry
Prayer Requests:
- Pray that Christians who have been in refugee camps for six years will not lose heart.
- Pray that Christian converts from Islam will grow in number and faith.
- Pray that Bible translation efforts will continue despite instability in parts of the country.
- Pray for traumatized believers who have lost loved ones and seen unspeakable acts of violence.
- Pray for martyred Pastor Jean-Paul Sankagui's son, who has taken over his father's work.
- Pray for Bible distribution efforts, especially in remote areas.