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Let’s Prioritize “a resolution” that Fosters Human Dignity in DR Congo: Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Central Africa

Members of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa (ACEAC)
Jude Atemanke

By Jude Atemanke

Goma, 09 February, 2025 / 10:46 pm (ACI Africa).

Members of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa (ACEAC) comprising Catholic Bishops in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Rwanda are urging regional, continental and global leaders to weigh in on the crisis in Eastern DRC, prioritizing a solution that promotes human dignity and respects for human rights. 

In a statement shared with ACI Africa on Sunday, February 9. ACEAC members bemoan the violent conflict, which has reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths, massive displacement, and a worsening humanitarian crisis.

“With a bleeding heart, we share the grief of all those who have lost family members or loved ones, both in the ranks of the troops and of innocent civilians, including young children,” the Catholic Bishops say in the statement dated February 6. 

ACEAC member “condemn the abject violence which continues to plunge our sub-region into mourning, and which has once again plunged the town of Goma into distress and despair.”

“We call on the representatives of political power in the sub-region, Africa, and the rest of the world, in accordance with their areas of responsibility, to work towards a resolution of the crisis that gives priority to promoting the dignity of each and every person, and respect for the rights of individuals and peoples,” ACEAC members say.

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They add, “We invite all the sons and daughters of the sub-region to stand together to break the spectre of division and hatred, which can only disintegrate the entire social fabric and perpetuate the spiral of violence.”

The Catholic Church leaders say it is the “conscience and the duty of inter-human solidarity to come to the aid of the battered people and to contain the harmful necessities consecutive to a situation of war.”

“We need the solidarity of all the organizations and the men of goodwill to help the suffering people,” they add.

ACEAC members also urge “all those who fish in troubled waters, those who pull strings in the shadows, the makers of false news and those who relay intoxicants and toxic products, not to create new conditions conducive to chaos.”

They encourage Christian communities to show concern for the victims, particularly the wounded and displaced, and to continue praying for peace.

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“We continue to persevere in the hope that the combined efforts of all stakeholders will lead to a regional solution that will make a lasting contribution to peacebuilding,” Catholic Bishops in Burundi, DRC, and Rwanda say.

Citing the Letter to the Hebrews, the Catholic Bishops remind the faithful of their shared humanity and of Christ’s suffering for the sake of all.

“Since the children of men have blood and flesh in common, Jesus also shared the same condition: thus, by His death, … He set free all those who, for fear of death, spent their whole lives as slaves. And because he suffered the ordeal of his Passion to the end, he is able to help those who are undergoing a trial,” ACEAC members say.

They implore, “May the Virgin Mary, who accompanied her Son to the Temple to present Him to the Lord, still be today the one who advises us on the way, accompanies us on it, and inspires us with the strength of hope for lasting peace.”

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

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Goma seemed to regain a sense of stability after the M23-led rebel alliance announced a humanitarian ceasefire starting February 4.

With approximately two million residents, Goma has been in conflict since the 1994 Rwandan genocide, with numerous armed groups competing with authorities for control of the Eastern region of the Central African nation.  

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.