Bishops demand justice after massacre at Catholic church in Democratic Republic of Congo

ACI Prensa Staff, Aug 7, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).

The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) reported that the bishops of the Democratic Republic of Congo are demanding justice following the massacre perpetrated by a group linked to the Islamic State on July 26-27 at a Catholic church in which more than 40 people were killed or injured.

That weekend, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attacked Blessed Anuarite Parish in the Diocese of Bunia, killing 37 young people and wounding six others who were participating in a vigil marking the 25th anniversary of the Eucharistic Crusades movement, according to ACN.

The bishop of Bunia, Dieudonné Uringi, told ACN that after the massacre, “many people were traumatized. When the adults found out, they came immediately to see what had happened.”

So far, no one has been arrested, and the prelate lamented that law enforcement did not react appropriately: “The police and military were not far away, but they didn’t act in time. They should have intervened more quickly to protect the population.”

Despite the prevailing insecurity, due to various groups fighting over the region bordering Uganda, the bishop continues his work: “This very afternoon, I must travel more than 60 kilometers [37 miles] to a mining area in the middle of the jungle, as I did in June and July. I do travel every month to administer the sacrament of confirmation,” he stated.

The Congolese prelate also asked ACN for support for young priests displaced by the violence. “Many had to leave their parishes and seek refuge in Bunia. We welcome them, but we have no means to sustain them. It would be a great relief to receive help, as we have before from your foundation, to accompany us at this time,” he said.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the 10th country in the world that receives the most aid from ACN, according to the pontifical foundation.

The outcry for justice

ACN also reported that the National Bishops’ Conference of Congo (CENCO, by its French acronym) in an official statement on July 28 expressed its dismay at the “hateful massacre” of innocent faithful.

“This umpteenth massacre has occurred in one of the provinces that has been under a state of siege for several years … In these provinces, we are witnessing murders and kidnappings,” the bishops pointed out.

The outrage, they continued, is greater because “no credible explanation has been offered to reassure the population.”

The bishops wondered why, despite so many massacres, the authorities have failed to clearly identify those responsible.

“Is anyone talking about the ADF Islamists, the [other] terrorists? Do these serial killers have any purpose? Who benefits from these crimes perpetrated for years against peaceful citizens?” the prelates asked.

The CENCO bishops finally demanded “a thorough and satisfactory investigation into the tragedy” so that justice can be done.

According to the statement, the massacre occurred a week after the desecration of the parish church of Lopa in the same Diocese of Bunia.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.