A Bible to unite families

by freelance photojournalist Geoffrey Stamp

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — “You don’t realise just how important Bible knowledge is if you do not live alongside another religion, such as Islam. Many of our Christians belong to families of mixed faiths,” said Paul Ilboudo, Director of the Bible Society in Burkina Faso (BSBF). “Knowledge of the Bible in these situations is vital in holding onto the Christian faith and not being swayed towards another religion.”
Photo: Roll cameras!: Preparing to film the Most Rev Jean-Marie Untaani Compaoré, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Ouagadougou (centre), as part of a Bible Society promotional video
n Roll cameras!: Preparing to film the Most Rev Jean-Marie Untaani Compaoré, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Ouagadougou (centre), as part of a Bible Society promotional video

Mr Ilboudo has high hopes that the recently-published Children’s Bible in basic French will prove an invaluable tool in uniting families around the Word of God and helping them tackle the pressures facing families in Burkina Faso today, where less than 20 per cent of the population is Christian.

“Things are not easy and sometimes disagreements within these families arise and Christians often do not know enough about the teachings in the Scriptures which would be useful in settling these arguments,” he continued. “We are hoping to use the beautifully-presented Children’s Bible and the Bible in basic French to encourage families to read the Bible together.”

Young people

The Bible Society plans to distribute 2,500 copies of the Children’s Bible as part of an Opportunity 21-funded project through Sunday Schools, churches and Christian schools. Nearly 9,000 Scriptures altogether will reach children and young people through the project.

The project, and indeed, the new Scripture, has been warmly welcomed by church leaders across the country. The Most Rev Jean-Marie Untaani Compaoré, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Ouagadougou, appears in a Bible Society film promoting the Children’s Bible and the use of the Bible in the family.

“The Bible is vitally important as a focal point for the development of Christian principles in the family,” he said. “A family that regularly reads the Bible will reap great benefit and deepen their faith. It will also contribute to holding families together.”

Under way

Another O-21-funded project aimed at helping families engage with the Scriptures is also under way. Entitled A Bible for Every Family, the project is providing 49,000 Bibles, mostly in the language of Mooré, for Roman Catholic churches to distribute to families within their parishes.

To publicise the importance of the Bible in family life, as well as Bible Society work in general, the BSBF has made a promotional film. Although most Christians in Burkina Faso are Roman Catholic, the Protestant Church is the main supporter of the Bible Society, and Mr Ilboudo hopes that the film, and Archbishop Compaoré’s endorsement, will encourage Catholics to become more involved.

“We want the film to encourage people of all Christian denominations to come to the Bible Society to purchase Scriptures,” he said. “We are also hoping the film will raise awareness about the needs of the Bible Society for church and individual support. I think it will be an effective way to involve the Roman Catholics.” (WR 365/21 - 12.01) [PHOTOS]