Islamic extremists attacked a church in the Central African Republic Monday, killing at least 17 and leaving dozens wounded.

Reverend Thibault Ndemaguia told the Associated Press the attackers came at St. Joseph Cathedral of Bambari because a Muslim youth had been killed in the area and they were claiming a Christian did the killing.

A statement from the Seleka Muslim militia appears to back the pastor’s view: the group said “all we did was retaliate.”

The church has been a refuge for thousands of Christians attempting to escape the ongoing civil war in the country.  Rev. Ndemaguia says the church averages between 4,000 and 6,000 people seeking refuge from the battles.

The civil war in the nation began last year when a Muslim extremist group attacked and overthrew the country’s government that was mainly run by Christians.  They tried to set up strict Sharia Law but eventually bowed out of power because of international pressures.