Communiqué of the National Episcopal Conference...on the kidnapping ...

Beloved Brothers and Sisters, On the night of Friday, April 4 breaking Saturday, April 5, at about 11:45pm, some well-armed unidentified people forced their way into Tchéré-Tchadkidjébé Parish, about 15 km from Maroua and kidnapped a reverend sister and two priests.

They are:

1) Reverend Sister Gilberte Bussiere, born on 12/09/1939 (74 years) in the Province of Quebec, Canada of the Congregation Sisters of Our Lady, Montreal. She has been in Cameroon for 34 years (1979) in the domain of Catholic primary education in Maroua- Mokolo Diocese.

2) Fr. Giampolo Marta, 47 years, priest of the Diocese of Vicenza (Italy), who has been serving in Cameroon for 9 years (2005) in the Tchéré-Tchadkidjébé Parish in the Maroua-Mokolo Diocese.

3) Fr. Gianantonio Allegri, 57 years, priest of the Diocese of Vicenza (Italy). After his first stay in Cameroon as a Fidei Donum priest for 11 years (1991/2002) in Douroum Parish, and as the Episcopal Vicar for the Centre Zone, he came back to Cameroon for the second time in September 2013, and was serving in the Tchéré-Tchadkidjéré Parish in Maroua-Mokolo Diocese.

This is the second kidnapping of apostolic workers in Maroua-Mokolo Diocese and the third time in the Extreme North Region after that of the Alain Fournier Family.

After this sad happening, which once again raises fear and consternation within the Catholic Church in general, and in the Maroua-Mokolo Diocese in particular, the Bishops of Cameroon reiterate their urgent call for the respect of life and the physical integrity of the human person. They strongly condemn these inadmissible attacks from extremist groups on Church officials, and against all acts of violence which pose a threat to the dignity of the human person.

At the same time, in communion with Maroua-Mokolo Diocese, they also invite all Christian communities to organise prayers for the speedy and unconditional release of these kidnapped missionaries. Under such circumstances, prayers remain our unique and effective arm. Done in Yaoundé on April 17, 2014. Samuel Kleda Archbishop of Douala NECC President