Rebels Attack Parish in DR Congo’s Bunia Catholic Diocese, Destroy Sacred Hosts

ITURI, 24 July, 2025 / 9:18 PM

The church of St. John Capistran Parish of Bunia Catholic Diocese in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was desecrated on July 21, when rebels of the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) forcefully accessed the building, vandalized the tabernacle, and destroyed sacred hosts.

In a Tuesday, July 22 press conference, the Coordinator of Caritas Bunia provided details about the attack that left at least 21 persons killed in Lopa and Nizi, Ituri province.

“The church, the presbytery, and the Marian Shrine were desecrated. The tabernacle was forced open, the Eucharist scattered on the floor, and the Marian grotto vandalized by the rebels,” Fr. Chrysanthe Ngabu Lidja told journalists.

Fr. Ngabu added, “Albs, chasubles, and all the liturgical items were thrown to the ground.”

He described the July 21 attack as a “grave violation of international humanitarian law” and a “devastating spiritual wound” for the people of God.

Fr. Ngabu said the attacks, led by members of the CODECO militia, occurred under the passive gaze of both the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FRDC) and a nearby United Nations Organization Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) contingent. 

He noted that the violence followed an alarming public announcement by the FRDC’s spokesperson on July 19, confirming a controversial military alliance between the national army and CODECO, a militia responsible for gross human rights violations since 2017.

“This sacrilege was carried out in full view of the FRDC forces and constitutes a grave violation of both Congolese law and international humanitarian standards. We have not yet counted the psychological toll on the Priests and the surrounding population, but the spiritual damage is enormous,” the Congolese Catholic Priest said.

He emphasized that the desecration of the church and the complicity of state forces violated multiple international protocols.

“This attack is also a violation of the Framework Agreement between the Holy See and the DRC, which protects the Church’s spiritual and social mission in the country,” he added.

Fr. Ngabu said the violence led to at least 21 civilian deaths, in Lopa and in Nizi in the region, including the looting of numerous businesses, destruction of property, and the complete disruption of transport along Route Nationale 27.

He added that simultaneous clashes occurred in the camps of Mampanzou and Jena, triggering mass panic and displacements. 

“What is most painful is the silence and inaction of those tasked with protecting the population,” the Caritas Bunia Coordinator said.

Fr. Ngabu called on judicial authorities, particularly the prosecutor of Bougna, to open an investigation and bring the perpetrators and their accomplices to justice.

He also denounced the FRDC’s alliance with CODECO, describing it as “unnatural and counterproductive.” 

“The state of siege, created to restore peace, has failed,” he said, adding, “No government should ally itself with a militia known for atrocities.”

The Caritas Coordinator appealed to all factions, including self-defense groups, to end violence and engage in peaceful dialogue. 

“Stop the killings. Stop sowing desolation. You are brothers,” he urged.

Fr. Ngabu warned against increasing stigmatization of the Catholic Church, particularly the Clergy in Bunia Diocese, who have been wrongly accused of supporting rebel groups. 

He faulted inflammatory broadcasts from state-aligned media, which have contributed to a hostile environment for the Church.

“We remind the public that the Catholic Church is not the enemy. The Church is a partner of the Congolese State, working tirelessly for human dignity, peace, and reconciliation,” he said.

While material losses were still being assessed, Fr. Ngabu lamented the spiritual and psychological harm inflicted by the desecration.

“This is not just about looted property. It is about the desecration of the Eucharist, the trauma of priests and worshippers, and the breakdown of trust in state institutions. These wounds will not heal easily,” he said.

Fr. Nagbu called for a patriotic awakening among all Congolese, urging leaders and citizens to abandon “hate speech, renounce violent alliances, and work toward building a just and peaceful society.”

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 “We were made to live in peace and build a country more beautiful than before. That is the only way forward,” the Catholic Priest said during the July 22 press conference.