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Catholic Sisters Temporarily Withdraw from Mission Hospital in DR Congo’s Butembo-Beni Diocese after Deadly Attack

Members of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Presentation of Our Lady (PSP). Credit: Radio Moto
Jude Atemanke

By Jude Atemanke

Kinshasa, 21 November, 2025 / 9:13 pm (ACI Africa).

The Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Presentation of Our Lady (PSP) has temporarily withdrawn its members from the Biambwe Referral Health Centre in the Diocese of Butembo-Beni in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following an attack reportedly by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group.

In an interview with Radio Moto of Butembo-Beni Diocese, the congregation’s Superior General said the Sisters narrowly escaped death in Biambwe while carrying out their duties caring for the sick.

“We have temporarily withdrawn our Sisters from Biambwe and Muhangi due to the insecurity prevailing in those areas of the Diocese of Butembo-Beni,” Sr. Kasayi Kyakimwa Henriette said during the Wednesday, November 19, interview.

She added, “Our sisters in Biambwe narrowly escaped death while they were there caring for the sick.”

During the November 14 attack, several persons were killed, including 18 patients who had been admitted for medical care at the Biambwe Referral Health Centre.

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In the October 19 interview, Sr. Kasayi noted that restarting activities in Biambwe would require significant resources, as many items have either been stolen or destroyed.

“The buildings are already demolished. The equipment is damaged. Mattresses burned, beds burned. In the laboratory, microscopes and other materials have disappeared.” 

The Congolese Sister added, “Security must first be restored before we can hope to resume our mission.”

In a statement issued following the attack, Bishop Melchisedec Sikuli Paluku of the Catholic Diocese of Butembo-Beni condemned the killing of several civilians.

“We condemn the burning of the Biambwe Referral Health Centre, served by the Sisters of the Little Sisters of the Presentation of Our Lady (PSP) of Butembo-Beni,” Bishop Paluku said in his November 16 statement.

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While commending the souls of the victims to divine mercy, he prayed that “God, the Lord of Life, may strengthen us through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Consoler of the afflicted.”

Bishop Paluku faulted the Congolese government for its failure to protect civilians in the conflict-torn region.

“Given the magnitude of this tragedy, we call on the Congolese State to wake up from its slumber,” the Catholic Bishop said.

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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