SOMALIA: The Difficulty of being a Christian in Somalia – A reflection from Administrator of Mogadishu
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| Former Cathedral in Mogadishu |
Whenever
Bishop Rt. Rev. Giorgio Bertin, O.F.M. makes a visit to Somalia where he serves as an
Apostolic Administrator, he has to conceal his identity as a Christian and a Catholic Bishop in order to be safe.
Bishop Rt. Rev. Giorgio Bertin, O.F.M. makes a visit to Somalia where he serves as an
Apostolic Administrator, he has to conceal his identity as a Christian and a Catholic Bishop in order to be safe.
“When I go there, I don’t put any external sign
that I am a Catholic Bishop or a Christian because it is too dangerous,” he
said. He said that despite the grin picture, there is hope as many Somalis who lived in diaspora are slowly returning home and are ready to help in the rebuilding of their country.
Bishop
Bertin was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Mogadishu
which covers the whole country upon the assassination of Archbishop Pietro
Salvatore Colombo, Ofm 25 years ago on 9th July, 1989 at
the Cathedral of Mogadishu.
Bertin was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Mogadishu
which covers the whole country upon the assassination of Archbishop Pietro
Salvatore Colombo, Ofm 25 years ago on 9th July, 1989 at
the Cathedral of Mogadishu.
“Exactly
a year and a half after the murder of Archbishop Colombo, the civil war broke
out in the whole country towards the end of 1990 and, as a consequence,
everything was destroyed,” he said.
a year and a half after the murder of Archbishop Colombo, the civil war broke
out in the whole country towards the end of 1990 and, as a consequence,
everything was destroyed,” he said.
Somalia,
a largely Muslim country had around 2000 Catholics by the time the state
collapsed and the presence of the Church was seen through the work of religious
sisters in hospitals and also through the activities of caritas Somalia.
a largely Muslim country had around 2000 Catholics by the time the state
collapsed and the presence of the Church was seen through the work of religious
sisters in hospitals and also through the activities of caritas Somalia.
The
Bishop stayed in Kenya for about ten years from January 1991 up to May 2001 and
he continued to provide humanitarian services through Caritas Somalia which was
collaborating with some local organizations.
Bishop stayed in Kenya for about ten years from January 1991 up to May 2001 and
he continued to provide humanitarian services through Caritas Somalia which was
collaborating with some local organizations.
Also
while in Kenya the Bishop said he was involved in production of some books in
Somali language and a Somali radio program broadcasted by Vatican Radio from
Rome. The program which airs 12 minutes on Saturday and Sunday is addressed to
the horn of Africa.
while in Kenya the Bishop said he was involved in production of some books in
Somali language and a Somali radio program broadcasted by Vatican Radio from
Rome. The program which airs 12 minutes on Saturday and Sunday is addressed to
the horn of Africa.
He
explains that the biggest challenge in Somalia is lack of state and this has
adversely affected the country. The drought that hit Eastern Africa was worse
in Somalia. “It was particularly dramatic in Somalia because there were no state
and institutions that would have led humanitarian response,” he said.
explains that the biggest challenge in Somalia is lack of state and this has
adversely affected the country. The drought that hit Eastern Africa was worse
in Somalia. “It was particularly dramatic in Somalia because there were no state
and institutions that would have led humanitarian response,” he said.
The
Bishop said that from time to time he makes a visit to Somalia to assess the
situation. “Last time I went was in the beginning of June 2014 and I met with
the speaker of the parliament and the Prime Minister,” he said.
Bishop said that from time to time he makes a visit to Somalia to assess the
situation. “Last time I went was in the beginning of June 2014 and I met with
the speaker of the parliament and the Prime Minister,” he said.
“My
intention is to renew a permanent presence of the Church in Somalia, therefore
whenever I go to Somalia I meet with the political leaders to dialogue. But
unless there is a governing state and security, it is not possible for us to
return in a permanent way.”
intention is to renew a permanent presence of the Church in Somalia, therefore
whenever I go to Somalia I meet with the political leaders to dialogue. But
unless there is a governing state and security, it is not possible for us to
return in a permanent way.”
By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Social
Communications
Communications
