“I would like from the bottom of my heart as a pastor to cry out for support in favor of a profound impetus of solidarity, both locally, regionally and internationally for patients with Covid-19”, said Cardinal Philippe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo, Archbishop of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in his Easter message. The Cardinal, who is President of SECAM (Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar), called for international solidarity to combat Covid-19 and its impact on the economic and social life of populations, especially in the poorest countries.

“The deployment of adequate and satisfactory means is necessary to save many human lives affected by this pandemic”. “Let us remain united and in solidarity to bring this scourge out of our Country and the world, which has harmful consequences on the health, socio-economic, cultural and spiritual levels”.

Cardinal Ouédraogo is recovering after being infected with Sars2-Cov2, as he remembers in his message: “Peace of the risen Lord be with you! The universal Church celebrates the Easter celebrations in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, your Pastor has been hit and, after a stay in hospital health facilities, thank God, as you can see for yourself, everything has returned to normal. However, I must observe a period of rest and remain in convalescence for a few more days. Glory to God who offers me the opportunity to address you, dear diocesan sons and daughters, and to all my Christian and non-Christian friends”.

The Cardinal offers his illness for other patients and for peace in his country. “Our Lord Jesus Christ offered his life on the cross for the redemption of the world. With him and after him, I willingly offer this moment of trial and above all my daily prayer for all our brothers and sisters who have been taken away by this pandemic”.

In particular, the Cardinal invokes the intercession of the Virgin Mary “for the sick with Covid-19 or suffering from other diseases; to stop the killings perpetrated by the forces of evil; for our rulers who have to make serious decisions for the good of citizens; for nursing staff who work with altruism and professionalism to save lives and defeat disease; for reconciliation, justice and peace in Burkina Faso”.

In Burkina Faso there were 528 cases of Covid-19 with 30 deaths on 14 April, in a Country where large areas live in insecurity due to the violence of some jihadist groups.

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