At least 70 civilians, including women, children and elderly people, were found murdered in a Protestant church near Lubero, North Kivu, as violence continues to escalate in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The massacre, attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), was confirmed by Catholic aid organization Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) and the Fides news agency. The ADF, an extremist group linked to Islamic State, has terrorized the region for more than a decade. Survivors reported that victims were taken hostage before being tied up and in many cases beheaded, a brutal tactic often used by the group. Some were allegedly executed for failing to keep up with the forced marches.
The attack comes as multiple armed groups, including the M23 rebels, continue to battle for control of the mineral-rich region. Local sources warn that the M23’s rapid advance could threaten Butembo, North Kivu’s second-largest city, following the fall of Goma and Bukavu.
Faith Communities Stand Firm Amid Crisis
Catholic communities in the Democratic Republic of Contra continue their religious and peacekeeping efforts despite the escalating violence. Bishop Melchisedec Sikuli Paluku of Butembo-Beni told Vatican News that fear grips the population, but faith remains a source of resilience.
A local source, who spoke anonymously for security reasons, emphasized the importance of prayer in these dire circumstances:
“Prayer is what keeps our hope alive in this situation.”