Unveiling the horrors of the ongoing armed conflicts in a Central African country, a courageous priest speaks out from one of the most affected areas: “People are forced to sleep on the streets to avoid being massacred. Humanitarian aid vehicles are set on fire, and materials for a hospital are destroyed.” Gratitude towards Pope Francis for his support and prayers.
By: Federico Piana – Vatican News
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“The situation is dire, with a pervasive sense of panic among the population.” The priest’s voice echoes from the diocese of Butembo-Beni in the southeastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the hardest-hit regions by violence and armed clashes that have been crippling the Central African country. The anonymous clergyman manages to reach out to the Vatican media amidst challenging communication obstacles, stating that normal communication channels have become severely restricted, with even phone towers and internet being rendered inaccessible due to the ongoing guerrilla warfare.
Plunder and Robbery
The priest shares with concern that people fear the imminent arrival of rebels from the “M23” group, moving from Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. “The government forces are unable to counter this advancement and are abandoning their posts. Currently, the nationalistic Wazelendo brigade youths are in control of our areas, attempting to safeguard the population.” However, among these young individuals, many take advantage by plundering, robbing, and killing. “There is strict territorial control. Last Saturday, they set fire to five humanitarian aid vehicles and a truck carrying all the materials for constructing an operating room at a hospital located 10 kilometers from the Massereka parish,” he reports.
Christians Most Affected
Due to the nocturnal threat posed by these nationalist groups, roaming from house to house in search of enemies to eliminate, villagers opt to sleep outdoors. “Christians are the most affected by this dire situation, given their majority presence in the Butembo-Beni region. Hence, Christians are the primary victims,” the priest asserts, mentioning the Church’s pastoral and sacramental challenges. “In numerous parishes in the west of the country, it was impossible to administer confirmation to the prepared youth. Now, these young ones have become hidden refugees, whereabouts unknown.”
Aid for Refugees
The local Church is at the forefront of welcoming those fleeing their cities to escape the conflict horrors. The priest explains, “Through Caritas, the bishops are striving to provide material and spiritual support to these afflicted individuals. Additionally, the Church urges the population to assist these men and women undergoing never-ending torment in any possible way.”
The Pope’s Consolation
What consoles the priest and the entire populace is the unwavering support of the Pope, who continues to pray for peace: “We feel loved and supported. Furthermore, Francis’s prayers encourage us to be more proactive in mediating between the warring factions. There is a pressing need for intensified efforts towards national reconciliation,” he concludes.
