Catholic priests in Democratic Republic of Congo decry rising insecurity targeting parishes

Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo have raised alarm over what they describe as a worsening wave of insecurity targeting ecclesial institutions.

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo — Priests in the Archdiocese of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have raised alarm over what they describe as a worsening wave of insecurity targeting ecclesial institutions, warning that criminal activity around parishes is becoming increasingly organized and violent.

In a statement issued following a meeting of the presbyteral council, the priests expressed “deep concern” over the surge in attacks affecting priests, women and men religious, seminarians, and Church properties across the capital of the DRC.

“Once-isolated acts of delinquency are now taking the form of organized crime directed against our parishes and other structures,” the priests said in the statement they shared with ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, on June 15, condemning what they termed a “spiral of violence.”

They highlighted several recent incidents, including the killing of a security guard at St. Francis de Sales Parish and attacks on Church personnel at St. Agnes Parish in Ndjili and St. Théophile Parish in Kimbanseke, where a vicar was seriously injured during a nighttime assault.

According to the priests, some of the attacks are carried out by armed groups operating in uniforms resembling those of national security forces, a development they described as particularly alarming and intolerable.

“We condemn with the utmost firmness these criminal acts that violate human dignity and freedom of worship,” the priests said.

They also decried vandalism and desecration of sacred spaces, including sacristies, archives, pastoral materials, and devotional objects, warning that such acts are undermining institutions that serve society through education, healthcare, reconciliation, and social cohesion.

The bishops further expressed concern about what they described as growing indifference and a sense of impunity surrounding the attacks, calling for urgent intervention by state authorities.

They urged political, administrative, and security leaders to fully assume their constitutional responsibility to guarantee the safety of people and property, and demanded “serious and transparent investigations” to identify and prosecute both perpetrators and sponsors of the violence.

The priests also called for strengthened cooperation between security services and local leaders to better protect vulnerable Church sites.

While appealing for vigilance and unity among parish communities, the priests expressed solidarity with victims of the attacks and reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to peace-building.

“Security, justice, and peace are possible when each person responsibly fulfills their duty in service of the common good,” they said.

They prayed for divine protection over the archdiocese and for peace in the country, invoking God to comfort victims and guide national leaders toward justice and harmony.

This story was first published by ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, and has been adapted by EWTN News English.