Brazzaville: A wave of outrage has swept across the Democratic Republic of the Congo after a brutal massacre claimed the lives of more than 40 Christians at a Catholic church, with local police and authorities accused of inaction. The Congolese bishops have broken their silence, demanding accountability and justice for the victims of what they described as a targeted act of religious violence.
The attack, which unfolded between July 26 and 27, saw armed militants of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) a group affiliated with the Islamic State storming the Blessed Anuarite Parish in the Diocese of Bunia. The assailants unleashed terror upon innocent worshippers, killing dozens in a coordinated assault that has left the Christian community shaken and grief-stricken.
Despite the proximity of security forces, there was no immediate intervention during the incident. Church leaders have strongly criticized the police and army for their failure to respond swiftly and protect civilians. "The police were nearby. The military was not far. But they waited, and our people were slaughtered," said a diocesan priest from Bunia who wished to remain unnamed for safety reasons.
Local bishops have condemned what they described as the state's "shocking silence and inaction" following the massacre. They noted that no arrests have been made even days after the horrific event, raising questions about the commitment of authorities to ensure the safety of religious minorities in conflict-affected regions.
“We are not only mourning. We are demanding justice,” said one bishop, who underscored that the lives lost in the parish were part of a long-standing Christian presence that has now been deliberately targeted. The bishop also highlighted his personal risks, revealing that he travels over 60 kilometers through dense forests and volatile mining zones to administer sacraments such as Confirmation, despite the ongoing threats from extremist groups.
The region of Bunia, situated near the border with Uganda, has long been plagued by instability, with armed factions vying for control and territory. The Christian faithful, particularly Catholics, have often found themselves caught in the crossfire of extremist violence.
The massacre has sparked widespread protests and demands for international attention, as Church leaders urge both national and global communities to take a stand against religiously motivated atrocities. In the absence of immediate action from the Congolese government, the burden of safety continues to fall on the shoulders of communities already living under constant threat.
The Catholic Church in Congo remains resilient but deeply wounded. As families bury their dead and parishes grieve, the bishops' call rings out as a rallying cry for truth, accountability, and justice in a land where silence is too often the answer to bloodshed.