by Djibo Alfari, Niamey, Niger, 16 August 1997
THEME = CHURCH
Foreign Christians who happen to be in Niger on a visit, cannot fail to notice that overt Christian life is practically non- existent, compared to what can be seen in neighbouring countries like Benin, Burkina Faso or even Chad. True, if you look, you'll see the fine cathedral of Niamey or the protestant church. Further attention will reveal, almost lost in the outskirts of the capital or big towns, several small churches with congregations of just a few dozen to a couple of hundred Christians, practising their Faith. This isn't surprising, since 90% of the population is Muslim.
Islam is so bound up with the culture of this sahelian country, that from time immemorial, an ordinary Nigérien couldn't possibly imagine a true Nigérien with Nigérien parents, to adhere to any religion, other than Islam. A blind eye may be turned to animism or other beliefs, but for a genuine Nigérien to call himself a Christian, is as good as asking the impossible.
In the eyes of the general public, a Nigérien can't be anything but Muslim. According to historians, Islam arrived in Niger around the 10th Century - about the same time as in Algeria. So everyone is supposed to have grown up in that religion, at least up to very recent times. Now, many Nigériens have to face up to the fact that there's a fringe group of the population, minuscule as it may be, that declare themselves convinced and practising Christians.
The Catholic Church in Niger dates from 1931 when a priest of the Society of African Missions (SMA), Father François Faroud, founded the parish of Niamey. In those days, the parish belonged to the Apostolic Vicariate of Ouidah, in Dahomey, (now called Benin). It was in 1942 that the Prefecture Apostolic of Niamey was created, taking into its territory, mission stations which had belonged to Dahomey and Upper Volta (now called Burkina Faso), Mgr. Faroud becoming the Prefect Apostolic. There was a new regrouping of the Prefecture in 1948, when Mgr.Constant Quillard, a Redemptorist, became the new Prefect Apostolic.
With the removal of the Burkina mission posts of Fada N'Gourma and Diabo, Niger's first diocese was erected in 1961, and Father Hyppolite Berlier, a Redemptorist, became its first bishop a year later. Twenty years on, he handed over to his Vicar-General, Mgr Guy Romano, the present bishop of Niamey, another Redemptorist, who had served in Niger since 1969.
There's never been any frictions between Christians and their Muslims brothers since the Catholic Church arrived in the country, God be praised! The majority of Christians being expatriates of Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, France and other European countries, good relations are eased by each one following the faith of their ancestors. In fact, Christianity was considered a religion of and for the foreigners, these foreigners practising their religion in complete liberty, their numbers never affecting the overwhelmingly majority of the Muslim population. That's how the Catholic and Protestant Churches were always able to integrate themselves into Niger's daily life.
Indiscriminate evangelisation was avoided at all costs, in favour of Christian witness. This consists in living with the people, sharing their sufferings, joys and hopes. In a local context, it can best be described as: "sharing the same mat"; never questioning their old age beliefs. Sure, there's no hesitation in saying who Christ is for Christians, nor attempting to brush over the essential differences between the two faiths. But this is done in calm and with tolerance, not with tension or falling back on one's own convictions. One important social fact must not be ignored - the overwhelmingly illiteracy at the heart of the population. Of the estimated 10 millions Nigériens, 80% can neither read nor write.
Mgr. Berlier was untiring in his work for Islam-Christian dialogue in Niger and throughout West Africa. He was so well-known in this milieu that he was affectionately called "The Bishop of the Muslims". His door was ever open to all who wished to see him and profit from his fatherly advice. In Niger's difficult moments, the authorities never failed to consult the Bishop of Niamey. Even today, despite the pressure of a new world evangelisation, his successor, Mgr.Guy Romano, has kept that pragmatic and wise approach of level-headedness and dialogue with all denominations, open to one or another form of fraternity.
Thus following the way blazed by its leaders, the whole Church in Niger gives proof of its courage and tolerance. This in no way stops Nigérien Christians from giving their reasons for hope, yet without disparaging those who think otherwise, and they are legion! Nevertheless, Niger's Christians know that their light is not to be hidden under a bushel. They understand the need to proclaim themselves Christians - disciples of Christ in Niger, even from the housetops if required. Thanks to this courage, to this essential affirmation of their religious identity, many persistent misconceptions have given way to a more balanced view of Christianity by a good number of Muslims.
Actions speak louder than words, and it's the witness of good works which can bring non-believers to the faith, a Muslim to respect his Christian brother. Very early on, the Catholic Church realized that their first and foremost duty, is to help the poor and destitute people of the country, before converting them. That is why the Church has been very active in the area of development.
Besides the many primary schools long-existing in Niger, the Church has set up adult training centres, actively engaged in reforestation, rehabilitation of the disabled, etc. A good number of leaders have been formed in Catholic schools, and have happy memories of these schools. They credit their former Alma Maters with instilling in them from their earliest years, a sense of professional integrity.
Niger's National Conference opened in Niamey on 29 July 1991. The Catholic Church was invited on the same basis as various Muslim groups. So the Catholics were able to offer the nation, ways and means for resolving the country's economic and social crisis.
The document drawn up by the Catholic Church, had a certain impact on participants and even on political groupings, the leaders drawing a good part of their socio-political programmes from it. This was the very first time Niger's Catholic delegates were called to such a national meeting and had the chance to make plain that they belonged to a Church founded by Jesus Christ.
Perhaps it was also the first time, that many Nigériens became aware of the existence of Christians among their fellow countrymen. Later on, Niger's Christians will have to assume their political responsibilities at the very heart of the government, against strong Islamic currants hostile to any idea of a secular republic. The notion of a secular republic is favoured by Christians. Islamists regard such a secular state as synonymous with atheism, and the negation of God. They are unable to grasp that democracy is by its very nature, pluralist.
Facing such confrontation, Niger's Constitution believe it should satisfy the demands of the Muslims by replacing "secular republic" with "separation of Church and State". This was accepted by all parties.
Today, Niger's native Catholics are estimated at 3,500. A mere drop in the ocean or rather, yeast in the dough. In addition, there are 14,500 other African Christians plus 3,000 Europeans and Americans. In all, there are about 21,000 baptised Christians.
It's understandable that some fundamentalist Muslims deny Christians any representation in certain national political structures. In a letter addressed to the President, the fundamentalist Muslims insisted that the office of President, Chief Justice, and Speaker of the National Assembly, should be reserved to Muslims. They have yet to receive a favourable reply.
Today, there are a rather important number of young Nigériens who desire with all their heart to embrace Christianity. These are young people, bewildered and challenged by a world in constant flux, who dream of discovering a way of hope. The Bishop is aware of this and attuned to them, guiding them to the deepening of their vocation. To this end, a Vocations Centre has been in existence in Niamey for several years.
In certain areas far from the capital, many people, mostly peasants have asked for instruction in the Christian Faith. They have been heard, but the major problem encountered by the Church is the total lack of local Nigérien priests. For more than 40 years, there was not one Nigérien priest, despite the Christians praying and begging the "Lord of the Harvest to send labourers to His harvest".
Last year, the Lord finally replied, when one of Niger's sons was ordained. This September, Bishop Romano will ordain two more from Niger. That will indeed be a memorable event. Even more numerous are those presently studying in the Senior Seminaries of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). In ten years or so, Niger's prayers will be granted in abundance by the presence of even more local Nigérien priests.
We hope for a spiritual renewal among Christians in this country. And we believe there will be one, for with God, all things are passible.
END