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February 27, 2018

Four dead after Catholic Lay Committee protests in Congo

A protester prays in front of policemen in front of Notre Dame Cathedral Feb. 25 in Kinshasa, Congo.
KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo – Four Congolese protesters were shot dead Feb. 25, during demonstrations organized by Catholics protesting President Joseph Kabila’s refusal to step down from power.
Published in International
January 23, 2018

Congolese forces use violence to disperse church-led protests

A priest runs as riot police fire tear gas canisters to disperse demonstrators during a protest organized by Catholic activists in Kinshasa, Congo. At least six people were killed during demonstrations across the country against delayed elections and Congolese President Joseph Kabila.
KINSHASA, Congo – Security forces in Congo violently dispersed protesters who were demanding that President Joseph Kabila hold fresh elections.
Published in International
January 2, 2018

Cardinal condemns deaths in Congolese protests

People walk as traffic is blocked by security forces Dec. 31 in Kinshasa, Congo. Church leaders in Congo have expressed "profound shock" after security forces fired on Catholics protesting rule by President Joseph Kabila, leaving at least eight dead.
KINSHASA, Congo – Congolese church leaders, including the nation's cardinal, condemned security forces' attacks on Catholic protesters that left at least eight dead and 120 people detained.
Published in International
March 1, 2017

Congo's bishops: Don't blame Catholics for blockage of peace accord

Congolese Bishop Fidele Nsielele Zi Mputu, Archbishop Marcel Utembi Tapa and Bishop Fridolin Ambongo Besungu arrive in December 2016 to mediate talks between the opposition and the government of President Joseph Kabila in Kinshasa.

KINSHASA, Congo – Congo's bishops criticized continued obstruction of a church-brokered peace accord and urged citizens not to blame Catholics for the deadlock.

Published in International
January 25, 2017

Congo's bishops hope to save peace pact, but see no will to act quickly

Congo's bishops are urgently seeking to rescue a government-opposition peace accord, reached in the final minutes of 2016.

KINSHASA, Congo – Congo's bishops are urgently seeking to rescue a government-opposition peace accord, reached in the final minutes of 2016.

Published in International
January 3, 2017

Catholic leaders in Congo welcome church-mediated accord

Congolese Bishop Fridolin Ambongo Besungu signs the accord between the opposition and the government of President Joseph Kabila Dec. 1 at the bishops' conference in Kinshasa.

OXFORD, England – Catholic leaders in Congo said they hope for lasting peace, after the bishops' conference helped mediate a government-opposition accord.

Published in International
December 6, 2016

Congolese president accepts bishops' offer to mediate political crisis

Congolese President Joseph Kabila speaks during an event in late April at U.N. headquarters in New York. Catholic bishops in Congo have warned of chaos if government and opposition leaders fail to agree to a timeline for elections and reiterated their commitment to help arrange a compromise.

KINSHASA, Congo – Congolese President Joseph Kabila expressed support for Catholic bishops' efforts to mediate a constitutional crisis after he extended his term in office.

Published in International