African bishops condemn Congo violence
November 27, 2012
The presidents of bishops’ conferences in Africa have joined with the bishop-presidents of Caritas organizations in condemning the escalating violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The March 23 Movement, a rebel group founded earlier this year, is fighting against government forces for control of the mineral-rich North Kivu province.
“We are outraged and shocked by the escalating armed violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo which is causing again a major human tragedy,” the bishops said.
“Thousands of men, women and children, the victims of this war which is imposed on them, are displaced and abandoned in destitution in Goma and its surroundings,” the bishops continued. “They are exposed to the bad weather, hunger, rape and all kinds of abuses, including recruiting of children into the army. This constitutes an offence to their dignity as human beings and children of God.”
“The perpetrators of such violence and destruction should be brought to justice,” the bishops added, as they called upon the international community to intervene.
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Further information:
- DR Congo: Church Leaders Outraged by Escalating Violence (CISA News Africa)
- March 23 Movement (Wikipedia)
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