Bamako was again hit by a double suicide attack two weeks ago. How do people live?
Mgr Robert Cissé: Above all, we must bow to the memory of so many men, women, young people and children who lost their lives. We pray for them, their families, for all the injured as well as for those people who are victims of the forces of evil, forces which are deployed in beings without faith or law. These torment our populations who support our armed forces in the relentless fight against terrorists.
We must salute the resilience of Malians in such a difficult situation not only in the North, but throughout the territory. No Malian should suffer in body or soul because of terrorists. Our populations are upset but they remain tenacious, particularly in the face of the dramatic attacks which took Bamako by surprise.
Don’t these events lead us to doubt the existence of God?
R. C. : Doubt is part of the Christian’s life. We are always faced with situations that leave us helpless. Where is God when human beings are being massacred? The situation is so dramatic that we are entitled to wonder if He is still present.
To maintain our faith, we must accept that God is there among us, even in pain and difficulties. We must live in hope that He does not sleep. The forces of evil cannot prevail over the greatness of God and the happiness he wants for the man he created.
How can the Church participate in the life of Mali, when Catholics represent less than 2% of the population?
R. C. : The Church exercises its mission in a particular way in all areas of the life of the country. Not necessarily from its hierarchy but through all the baptized who constitute it. They accomplish their mission in the midst of the occupations and concerns of this country. This is where we are called to be “salt and light”. Christians live in the midst of the world in order to feel the balm of the Holy Spirit, who enlightens and animates them.
Today, they are on all fronts and are called upon to play their part so that the new man can emerge in a new Mali. The Church is acting so that Mali can truly renew itself based on the testimony of each person and evangelical values. Its mission is to raise awareness and support, because Christ our peace sends us so that we can be artisans of peace and reconciliation. Our presence within Malian society contributes to pacifying the entire country.
Faced with these 2% of Catholics, Mali has nearly 95% of Muslims. What place should be given to interreligious dialogue?
R. C. : In Mali, Muslims and Christians live hand in hand, in respectful recognition of the human and religious values that we share during joyful celebrations and painful events. What unites us is stronger than what separates us.
It is on the foundation of humanism, which we have with each other, that we can build a peaceful, reconciled society, where Muslims, Christians and believers of other religions can build together a new Mali. Despite our numbers, we must play our role as Christians: to be “leaven in the dough”, “salt and light of the world”.