Vatican City: The Community of Sant’Egidio is preparing to celebrate a historic moment as Floribert Bwana Chui, a Congolese martyr and steadfast defender of justice, is set to be beatified on Sunday, June 15. His beatification will take place at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, marking him as the first Blessed from the Sant’Egidio community.
Floribert Bwana Chui, who was only 26 when he was killed in 2007, was known for his fearless stance against corruption. Refusing to authorize the entry of spoiled rice shipments into the Democratic Republic of Congo, he chose conscience over personal gain. That decision cost him his life—he was abducted, tortured, and murdered. His martyrdom stands as a powerful testimony of integrity, especially in a region long scarred by conflict and systemic corruption.
According to Aline Minani, leader of the Sant’Egidio Community in Goma, the beatification has brought immense joy and pride to the local faithful: “In a city often associated with tragedy, this is a moment of light. It tells the world that Goma is not just a land of war, but also a land of saints.”
Floribert was deeply woven into the life of the Goma community. He tirelessly served street children, known locally as Maibobo, offering shelter, education, and love to those abandoned by society. One such child, Jonathan, recalled how Floribert took him in and personally returned him to his family in Bukavu, a story that still echoes in the hearts of many in Goma.
Floribert dreamt of a unified Congo, famously saying, “I dream of a Congo where everyone is seated at the same table.” His dream wasn’t limited to politics—it was about social cohesion, dignity, and peace. His dedication was evident in community meals where servers and guests shared tables indistinguishably, breaking down barriers of class and status.
He lived out the Gospel both professionally and personally, keeping his Christian values intact even under pressure. His refusal to engage in corrupt practices was not just ethical—it was spiritual. During his 2023 visit to the DRC, Pope Francis described Floribert as a model for youth, praising his moral courage and commitment to the common good.
Minani believes Floribert’s story can inspire a new generation of African youth, encouraging them to resist the “culture of selfishness” and choose paths of integrity. She urges them to follow Floribert’s lead by reading Scripture regularly, as he did—his personal Bible is now preserved in the Basilica of St. Bartholomew in Rome.
But his legacy doesn’t end with youth. For Minani, Floribert’s example also challenges political leaders across Africa to choose peace over power, unity over division. She points to the violence plaguing eastern Congo—particularly Goma and Bukavu, now under the control of AFC/M23 forces backed by Rwanda—and calls on leaders to build bridges rather than walls.“Enough of death. Enough of destruction. It’s time to make choices that protect lives, not end them,” she pleads.
The beatification ceremony, scheduled for 5:30 PM on June 15, will be presided over by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Among the concelebrants will be Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo of Kinshasa and Bishop Willy Ngumbi of Goma. The service will draw participants from across the Congolese diaspora, the Vatican, and members of the Sant’Egidio community worldwide.
Floribert’s beatification is expected to become a national moment of reflection in the DRC, especially for a country that has endured decades of bloodshed. It offers a hopeful reminder that even amid chaos, faith and moral clarity can shine through.
As Ms. Minani beautifully concluded: “Peace is something to be shared—like a piece of bread. And in peace, everyone wins.” Floribert’s story is not only a beacon of hope for the people of Goma and the DRC—it is an invitation to the world to believe again in the power of goodness.