There is only a single church in Somalia, St. Anthony of Padua in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, a semi-autonomous region is the only church said to be in Somalia. The Bishop of the church Giorgio Bertin told international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need that Mass has been and continues to be “very dangerous,”
Just last January, after the church had been boarded up for some 20 years, the bishop was able to re-consecrate the church, which now also serves as a base for humanitarian activities sponsored by Caritas.
“Not many people come to Mass – 10 at most – but nonetheless, it is important,” the bishop said. The church is a silent witness in a country where “there are more and more mosques”, thanks to financial aid from Saudi Arabia, he added.
It was 27 years ago, after the assassination of Bishop Salvatore Colombo, that the Holy See asked Bishop Bertin to become apostolic administrator of Mogadishu, after rebels had destroyed almost the whole of the Somali capital and the Church’s entire infrastructure.
We pray for Peace in Somalia and other countries of the world that are facing similar challenge(s) as Somalia. Somalia and other countries need your prayer, remember them in your prayer today.
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