Yemen Disaster: Aden’s Christian Cemetery Desecrated, Vicar of Arabia Says

AsiaNews ^ | 11/22/17

[marshmallow]

People unknown knocked down crosses and tombstones, including those of Mother Teresa's nuns, killed in March 2016. For Mgr Hinder, this is serious, confirming the country’s “ongoing difficult situation and violence." The Saudi blockade puts at risk “the survival of people”.

Sana'a (AsiaNews) – In recent days "the Christian cemetery in Aden was desecrated," including the tombs of the Sisters of Mother Teresa killed during the attack against the retirement home they ran, said Mgr Paul Hinder, apostolic vicar of southern Arabia (UAE, Oman and Yemen), speaking to AsiaNews.

The economic, social and humanitarian situation in Yemen is disastrous, the prelate noted. For some groups, things are "particularly problematic" with "different imperatives" in different parts of the country. What is more, for Mgr Hinder, the blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia is a "major problem".

"The attack on the Christian cemetery in Aden occurred two nights ago,” Mgr Hinder noted. “The attackers, whose identity is still unknown, damaged crosses and tombs," including the tombs of the four Sisters of Mother Teresa killed on 4 March 2016 during an attack by a local extremist group.

Only one nun managed to survive the attack during which the terrorists abducted Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, an Indian Salesian missionary in Yemen. The clergyman was released only recently after a long captivity, also thanks to the intervention of Omani officials.

"This is not the first time that such a thing happens, but the damage to a cemetery is a serious thing. Of course, such episodes of violence do not only affect Christians, but they confirm the ongoing difficult situation and violence."

[Ciexyz]

Prayers offered up for this desperate situation.

[WatchungEagle]

Aden is in the part of Yemen controlled by the Saudis with US support.