Seven Christians Killed After Church Shelled in Central African Republic

Religion Today | Updated: Apr 22, 2013

Seven Christians Killed After Church Shelled in Central African Republic

A weekend of violence leaves seven dead after three artillery shells crashed into a Central African Republic church, reports World Watch Monitor. At least 20 were reported dead after gun battles in sectors of Bangui, the capital of the republic, where rebel groups took power last month. The seven Christian victims in the attack were attending church service at the Evangelical Federation of Brothers church on Sunday. “Many children account among wounded persons and were transferred at the pediatric hospital for treatment,” Rev. Mbaye-Bondoi told World Watch Monitor in a telephone interview. The pastor was hurt in his heart ear, but said the injury was not life-threatening. Various independent news reports said clashes erupted Saturday after members of the rebel forces known as Séléka began a sweep through parts of Bangui to gather weapons. There’s no official confirmation whether the church was targeted or simply caught in the crossfire, but there have been increased attacks on Christian clerics and lay people since the Séléka coalition formed in December.



Seven Christians Killed After Church Shelled in Central African Republic