In Burkina Faso, Christmas is no longer a simple time of celebration for Christians. Rather than enjoying midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, worshippers have shifted their gatherings to the afternoon to ensure they can return home safely before darkness falls. The threat of violence looms large, with Islamist extremists posing a constant danger. A horrifying example of this violence occurred on October 6, 2025, when three Christian students were brutally murdered after being pulled from a bus in the Diocese of Nouna. Just hours later, gunmen attacked vehicles along a nearby road, killing at least 15 more individuals, most of whom were Christians.
This violence is not just a random event but part of a systematic campaign to intimidate and drive Christians from their homes. In recent months, catechists have faced abduction and murder while going about their church duties. Local communities report that the goal of these attacks is to instill fear and force Christians to flee the region. Aid organizations highlight the growing peril on the roads, the rise of rumors about renewed terrorist activity, and the palpable fear gripping civilians.
Burkina Faso, once viewed as a model of interreligious coexistence, has descended into chaos, transforming into a hotbed of jihadist violence. The toll has been staggering, with estimates indicating that tens of thousands have died and millions displaced. Human Rights Watch reports worsening conditions, detailing how violence by Islamist groups has intensified alongside abuses from state security forces.
The numbers illustrate the scale of the crisis. Between January and August 2024 alone, an estimated 6,000 civilians were killed, with over 2.3 million displaced. Jihadist groups have conducted horrific mass killings and targeted attacks against Christians, particularly those perceived as supportive of the government. Amid this turmoil, Burkina Faso’s military forces are also under scrutiny for their counterinsurgency operations, which have reportedly resulted in civilian deaths and atrocities akin to crimes against humanity. Graphic footage has emerged, starkly depicting the brutality of these operations.
The military junta that took over in 2022 solidified its power in 2024, pushing off elections, extending its control for five more years, and suppressing dissent. Journalists and activists critical of the regime have faced threats of abduction and forced disappearances. Despite this environment of repression, accountability for violence and human rights abuses remains lackluster, with few investigations yielding meaningful results.
As Islamist groups like Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) ramp up attacks on Christians, the toll is devastating. From February to July 2024, they killed at least 128 civilians, directly assaulting worshippers in their places of faith. A particularly grotesque attack on a Catholic church in Essakane in February left at least 12 dead. In August, another assault in Sanaba saw 26 Christians murdered inside a church, a chilling testament to the extent of the violence faced by religious communities.
Yet, amid these horrific circumstances, the resilience of the Christian community in Burkina Faso is noteworthy. For the tenth consecutive year, Christmas services are once again occurring before nightfall, a change born from the necessity of avoiding nighttime travel amidst the threats. Bishop Théophile Naré of Kaya shared compelling accounts of the unwavering faith of the community, describing ordinary people’s extraordinary courage—even as they face significant adversity. The bishop recounted instances of women forming human shields to protect priests during Mass, pointing to a strong desire to continue practicing their faith despite fear and violence.
Even as many parishes have closed or can only be accessed under military escort, the faith of the Christians remains unshaken. Seminaries continue to thrive, showing a commitment to training future leaders within the Church. Bishop Naré also highlighted the continued growth of Christianity, marking an impressive gathering of two million pilgrims at the Marian shrine of Yagma, celebrating the 125th anniversary of evangelization in the region.
The Church actively responds to the urgent humanitarian crisis, providing essential services such as food, shelter, medical care, and education for displaced children. This support fills critical gaps left by a largely indifferent international community. The resolve of the Christians in Burkina Faso to maintain their faith and support one another through such troubling times remains a testimony to their strength and dedication.
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