The search for Christian unity as a path to peace in Africa

Published Feb. 11, 2022.

Lindbergh Mondésir is a strong promoter of the ecumenical movement in his native West African country of Burkina Faso.

This Catholic priest, a member of the Clerics of Saint Viator, is director of the Institut Théologique Ensegnalum in Ouagadougou, the nation’s capital. 

He talks with La Croix Africa’s Kamboissoa Samboé about how the work of ecumenism can be a positive factor of peace-building in his homeland. 

La Croix Africa: What is ecumenism?

Lindbergh Mondésir: Ecumenism is all the actions that can contribute to the unity of Christians.

You know that there are many divisions among Christians that go back several centuries, due to schisms within the Church. All these schisms have led to the multiplication of churches, especially among the Protestants. 

Today, we are aware that it is a scandal for Christianity to have these divisions. Therefore, ecumenism is everything that is undertaken to promote Christian unity. 

At the beginning, the divisions within the Church were a source of conflict. One could hear that the differences were doctrinal or theological in origin, but in reality they were cultural.

In spite of all these divisions, Christians continued to socialize.

Fortunately, with the ecumenical approach, we are more and more able to meet and talk with each other, as well as to have shared views on certain points, such as the condition of the planet Earth.

How do you see ecumenism in Burkina Faso?

In Burkina Faso, it is undeniable that there are several churches, especially of the evangelical type, with several denominations.

I have noticed that we do not always have this meeting place, between priests and pastors, to think about something together and propose a common project. However, this is what Vatican II proposed in order to move towards collaboration between churches.

Nevertheless, efforts are being made, notably in the framework of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, from January 18-25, so that we can pray together.

Personally, I would have liked that, following this week, we could collaborate to answer this prayer and then follow it up with concrete actions.

I hope that this will come with the next generations. I hope that we will have people who are more open because of their training and the natural expression of the Holy Spirit at work.

In the case of Burkina Faso, culturally, there are foundations for religious coexistence. The expression "Saambissi", in Mooré (a local language), literally translated, means "my brothers and sisters".  

This is an illustration of this. This is also the case for "joking kinship" or "joking alliances between ethnic groups".

It is a form of fraternity that goes beyond blood ties, with cultural elements, where one considers the other as a sibling.

Cultural predispositions hold that the brother or sister is not only someone who comes from my family, but someone from the area and from other ethnic groups.

Whether I am a Catholic or Protestant, we are, above all, family. 

This is in line with the universal fraternity of Pope Francis, and we must maintain this.

Otherwise, we risk falling into the same defects as other societies, basing ourselves solely on religious references that are not necessarily salvific references, but are sometimes more inspired by political rivalries than by the evangelical value of the love that Jesus himself bequeathed to us. 

For peace in Burkina Faso, what do the people involved in ecumenism need to do?

If we want to preserve peace, we must not hide the issues that make us angry. If there are tensions, we must, in all humility, try to get to the root of the problem.

Vatican II asked that all Catholics become part of the ecumenical movement. We must look kindly upon our separated neighbors (Protestants), we must avoid contempt and behaviors that fuel conflicts. 

Peace is a common good and all religions are ethically responsible for promoting this good.

Catholic and Protestant families must be inspired by the love of Christ. 

Christian unity is only possible if it is preceded by an inner conversion, under the influence of the Holy Spirit.