DR Congo: Justice and Peace Commission condemns attacks on parish

The Catholic Church in Congo DR says recent events of armed men in South Kivu attacking Church personnel and premises is a sign that the Church in Bukavu is still a target of criminal gangs.

On the night of the 1 March 2015 in the early hours of the morning, the parish of Mater Dei in Bukavu was attacked by heavily armed men. Ironically and fortunately, it was the chattering sound of heavy weapons and the sound of the parish bell that alerted the local parish population to rush to the rescue of their Church.  Their intervention ultimately prevented the bandits from continuing with the attack on the Church premises.

“This is not the first time the Mater Dei Parish has come under attack,” Father Justin Nkunzi, Director of the Diocesan Commission for Justice and Peace who lives in the same parish said.

Not too long ago unidentified gunmen waylaid Fr, Nkunzi at the gate of the parish. Fr. Nkunzi says, “It is a great pity that the local authorities are failing to investigate thoroughly the clearly organised criminal gangs marauding in the area and prevent them from attacking innocent citizens,” Fr. Nkuzi said.

He says as head of the Diocesan Commission for Justice and Peace, his organisation is dismayed at the lack of security in the area in spite of drawing the attention of the local authorities to the many incidents. He believes the authorities could do more for the people.

(By RV Francese Africa)

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