DRC: Christians caught in crossfire

Church services have been cancelled as fighting continues to intensify in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – with 70 Christians found beheaded in one church.

M23 rebels, who have been seizing territory since early 2022 with the help of around 4,000 Rwandan troops, now control the two of the largest cities in DRC - Goma and Bukavu.

Historically the rebels, who portray themselves as freedom fighters protecting ethnic minorities, have targeted Christians. In this latest attack, churches have again found themselves caught in the crossfire, with most services in rebel-controlled areas cancelled, and reports of damage to some buildings.

Meanwhile, Open Doors has reported that 70 Christians had been found beheaded at a church in the country. The organisation said: 'Seventy people have been found beheaded in a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in what’s the latest devastating attack on believers in the north east of the country.

'The bodies were discovered over the weekend in a church in the abandoned village of Kasanga. The victims were apparently taken as hostages by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) – Islamist extremists with ties to so-called Islamic State (IS) – and held for several days before being killed.'

“We further call on the international Christian community to remain in prayer for Christians”
John Samuel, Open Doors’ legal expert

Open Doors added: 'Last week, several ADF attacks emptied villages in the Lumbero Territory and many of the bodies found in the church were identified as those missing after these attacks. The region is in North Kivu province, where the militant group have been particularly active in recent times.'

The situation on the ground

This latest M23 offensive in the east of the country began in December, with the rebels announcing their intention to march towards the capital Kinshasa.

Bishop Martin Gordon, who the Church Mission Society report has moved to a safe location, described the situation on the ground in Goma following the attack there last month: ‘The main power line to Goma was hit by the M23, leaving much of the city without power. Large areas are also without water. Communications are unreliable, and food prices have doubled.

‘There has been a prison break and widespread looting. Many residents are cowering in fear, unable to communicate with loved ones. Eyewitnesses report bodies in the streets, while NGOs and hospitals have been targeted. Reports of sexual violence add another layer of trauma for a population that has already suffered too much.’

Bishop Martin also called for immediate humanitarian aid, and for the church to understand its role in pastoral care.

Read also: DRC: ‘Why is the world looking away?’