Christianity Today, Week of September 16

African Churches Under Attack


Raids on churches leave worshipers dead, abducted
Churches throughout Africa were the victims of deadly attacks this weekend. 
In Kisii, Kenya, reports The East African Standard, a "gang of about 100, 
armed with all sorts of crude weapons including arrows, simis and machetes," 
invaded a Roman Catholic Church, "attacking followers indiscriminately." Two 
worshipers were killed and several others injured in the attack, which 
reportedly lasted 90 minutes.

Cornellius Okindo, recovering in the city hospital from deep cuts, told the 
Standard that the mob "started attacking the faithful indiscriminately 
without saying a word." Some reportedly poured gasoline in the church and 
lit it, though early reports that the church had burned down turned out to 
be untrue.

The attackers were thought to be "hired goons," and the attack seems to be 
politically motivated as parliamentary elections approach.

Meanwhile, church attacks in Nigeria over the weekend appear to have been 
financially motivated. Robbers attacked a church in the Lagos suburb of 
Ojokoro, killing worshiper Yinka Egbe and stealing N25,000 ($200) and other 
items.

In Aba, Abia State, robbers severely beat, then shot a Roman Catholic priest 
in the groin after robbing his church. Monsignor Theophilus Okere says that 
when the priest was rushed to the hospital, "he was denied treatment by 
those on duty, who insisted it was a police case." He died from his wounds. 
It was the second attack on the church this year.

South Africa also experienced such terror. About ten armed men stormed a 
church service at Randfontein College and abducted one of the worshipers. 
Three vehicles were stolen in the raid.





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