President's supporters threaten priests, nuns in Democratic Republic of Congo

October 15, 2014

Catholic priests and religious in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been threatened with violence since the country’s bishops staked out their opposition to a bid to allow President Joseph Kabila to serve a 3rd term, the Fides news service reports.

In September, the bishops released a pastoral letter opposing a constitutional amendment that would allow the new presidential term. They cited a provision of the constitution that explicitly prohibits amendments too change the two-term limit. The bishops’ stand drew angry criticism from Kabila’s supporters.

Last Sunday, a priest who read the bishops’ letter to his congregation was threatened after Mass by a group of young people. The priest was unharmed, after police intervened. Later, another priest was threatened, and a group of young men attacked a Franciscan convent, injuring one sister.

Kabila supporters have formed a group of “young Catholics” to petition the Vatican, calling for an end to the “interference of the Congolese bishops in national politics.” In reply, the bishops’ conference has charged that the group’s leaders are not affiliated with existing Catholic organizations.

 

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Further information:

• New threats to priests and religious women because of the opposition of the Bishops to the constitutional amendment (Fides)
• Bishops in Congo oppose constitutional change allowing president to serve 3rd term (CWN, 9/17)