Burundi : the Burundi bishops’ conference concerned about extreme household poverty

Burundian Catholic bishops are outraged by the soaring prices observed in the country. In a statement made public after the ordinary plenary assembly in December, their conference indicated that the situation is deplorable at a time when the population is unable to meet its needs.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The purchasing power no longer allows families to cope with the incessant surge in food prices on the local market, says the document that was not read last Sunday in all the branches of the Catholic Church of the small East African nation, contrary to the practice.

According to representatives of the Holy Father in Burundi, poverty also affects almost all sectors of national life. The statement was signed and read by Bishop Bonaventure Nahimana, president of the said conference. The bishops’ meeting took place in the commercial city of Bujumbura, at the apostolic nunciature, on December 6. But the statement was made public on Monday in general.

The Catholic bishops are calling on Burundian authorities to take all possible measures to “alleviate the burden of this poverty that weighs on the Burundian population”.

In an electoral context, bishops call on all stakeholders to put the general interest first, to work together without exclusion for the socio-economic progress of the country. They recalled that “everyone benefits from the electoral exercise taking place with respect for the dignity of people, taking into account individual freedoms and political formations”.

These bishops, however, declared that there is a peaceful climate in the country despite numerous cases of violence within families and between neighbors reported in certain localities. They find this situation deplorable, which unfortunately tends to “become more and more normal, to no longer attract enough attention”.

There was no reaction yet from Burundian authorities. But President Neva continues to describe “a stable Burundi where prices are the most affordable in the sub-region”.

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Catholic bishops among others pray for President Neva during his inauguration, June 18, 2020