A Catholic bishop in Cameroon has revealed that he can only provide pastoral care for the faithful if he has military protection, because of raids by the Boko Haram terrorist group, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) reports.

Bishop Bruno Ateba of Maroua-Mokolo told ACN that priests have military escorts when they celebrate Mass in his diocese, located on the border of Nigeria. Late last year three missionary priests and a nun were kidnapped by Boko Haram, and later released-- probably because the governments of their native countries paid ransoms to Boko Haram, the bishop believes.