DR Congo: Church leaders appeal for peace as violence escalates

M23 fighters in DRC © MONUSCO/Sylvain Liechti

Source: ACN

As armed rebels fight to take control of the eastern Congo's largest city, forcing thousands to flee, Pope Francis and local bishops have appealed for help to stop the fighting and alleviate the suffering.

At the General Audience today, Pope Francis said: "As I pray for the swift restoration of peace and security, I call on local authorities and the international community to make every effort to resolve the conflict through peaceful means."

Bishop Willy Ngumbi Ngengele of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - where violent clashes have been intensifying - wrote in a statement sent to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that the Church is following the developments "with dismay."

The bishop denounced the bombing of the General Charity Maternity Hospital in the city of Goma which killed a number of newborns.

The Congolese government has described the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group's advance on Goma - the capital of North Kivu Province - as a declaration of war.

M23 previously took Goma in 2012, but the Congolese military recaptured it.

More than 2.5 million people have been internally displaced because of the ongoing war in North Kivu Province, according to local ACN contacts.

In his statement, Bishop Ngengele wrote that the population of Goma was facing a "grave hour" but all those affected by the violence can be assured of the Church's concern.

He added that the clergy, the faithful and all people of goodwill should do what they can to help those in need.

The bishop went on to call for "absolute respect by all parties, and in all circumstances, for human life and for private and public infrastructure in accordance with human dignity and international law".

He stressed the need to ensure access to basic services and avoid the scourge of sexual violence which often accompanies armed conflict.

Last week, Archbishop Francois Xavier Maroy of Bukavo told ACN: "For two years, many of our brothers and sisters have had nothing other than their eyes to weep and their feet to flee, sometimes without a destination - and even the camps for the displaced are not secure…"

Archbishop Kukavo concluded: "Let us pray to the Lord and ask him that all the communities in conflict in our Great Lakes Region will find a way to live in peace without distinction of tribe, ethnicity or race."

Maxime François-Marsal, ACN (International) head of projects for Francophone countries in Central Africa, said that there was a need for the Church to show solidarity with those suffering and called for prayers for the DRC.

Mr François-Marsal added that the country remains one of the charity's top priorities.

He said: "Let us pray for the return of peace in Goma and for all the victims of the war. Let us especially pray for the political leaders of Congo, Rwanda and neighbouring countries, that they may seek a peaceful and swift resolution to the conflict.

"May they work in the interest of the people and be sensitive to the suffering of those who have unjustly lost everything."

With thanks to Paulo Aido and Sina Hartert

LINK

Aid to the Church in Need: www.acnuk.org