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Catholic Bishops Express “fraternal closeness, solidarity” with Citizens in Eastern DR Congo amid Escalating Violence

Members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO)
Jude Atemanke

By Jude Atemanke

Kinshasa, 04 February, 2025 / 10:53 pm (ACI Africa).

Members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) have expressed their “fraternal closeness and solidarity” with the people of God in North Kivu and South Kivu Provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the region faces escalating violence.

On Monday, February 3, the Congolese Communications Minister, Patrick Muyaya announced that over 2,000 bodies require burial in Goma after Rwanda-backed March 23 (M23), the rebels wreaking havoc in Goma,  took over the city on January 27.

Goma has regained a sense of stability after the M23-led rebel alliance announced a humanitarian ceasefire starting Tuesday, February 4.

With approximately two million residents, Goma has been in conflict for more than three decades since the 1994 Rwandan genocide, with numerous armed groups competing with authorities for control of the country.

In a statement issued on February 3, CENCO members say, “It is with great sadness and deep concern that we follow the deterioration of the security situation in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, particularly worsened by the capture of the city of Goma by the AFC/M23 rebel coalition, supported by Rwanda, and their advance towards the city of Bukavu.”

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“The intensification of fighting between the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) and the AFC/M23 rebels, along with their respective allies, has caused enormous loss of human life,” the Catholic Bishops lament.

They add, “It has led to looting in the city of Goma and surrounding towns and has exacerbated the mass displacement of populations already impoverished by the recurrent conflicts that these provinces have endured for nearly thirty years.”

CENCO members further say, “The situation is so grave and the emotion so overwhelming that we felt compelled to take a moment of silence and reflection to better understand its dimensions and discern the future course of action.”

“We wish to express our fraternal closeness and solidarity with Bishop Willy Ngumbi of Goma Diocese, and Archbishop François Xavier Maroy, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bukavu, as well as with the entire People of God living in these afflicted regions,” the Catholic Church leaders say.

CENCO members also extend their heartfelt condolences “to all the families who have lost loved ones in this unnecessary war and express our compassion to all those affected by these tragic events.”

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Echoing Pope Francis' appeal for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urgent measures to protect civilians, CENCO members reiterate their previous call, made in collaboration with the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), for a “social pact for peace and harmonious coexistence in the DRC and the Great Lakes region.”

“When one member suffers, the whole body suffers with it. We reassure all our brothers and sisters in the affected provinces of our communion in their suffering and our spiritual closeness,” the Catholic Bishops say. 

They also invite Catholics and all people of goodwill to “intensify their prayers for the establishment of lasting peace in our country.”

“Through the intercession of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Consoler of the Afflicted, may God grant the grace of peace to our country, the Democratic Republic of Congo,” CENCO members implore in their February 3 statement.

Jude Atemanke

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.

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