Seven Army chaplains in the African nation of Burkina Faso are struggling to cope with the demand for their ministries against a backdrop of jihadist attacks.
Christianity Today reports, calls from anxious soldiers and their relatives have escalated in recent years, with the army under attack from Islamic extremist fighters.
Once considered an example of peace and religious co-existence, the West African nation has suffered unprecedented violence linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State since 2016.
Salomon Tibiri has served as an Army chaplain in Burkina Faso for 15 years and says before the crisis there was more stability.
Now he says the seven chaplains are stretched thin by the conflict, and what assistance they’re able to provide through phone calls and prayer services is insufficient.
The seven chaplains consist of Protestants, Catholics and Muslims, and are responsible for spiritually advising about 11,000 soldiers.
