“The church deplores the excessive use of force on demonstrators who were only armed with Bibles, rosaries and branches.”

The church's key contribution to peace must be education, both in classrooms and as examples of diverse people living in harmony.

Trump's comments highlighted months of concerns about his lack of focus on Africa, including empty ambassadorial posts in key countries like South Africa, Egypt, Congo and Somalia.

A watchdog organization identified three global trends in persecution against Christians.

The decree for their beatification should be published sometime in January, Trappist Father Thomas Georgeon said.

With memories of the post-election violence of a decade ago still fresh among its congregants, one church in Nairobi made it its mission to promote peace.