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.

VATICAN – Pope Francis' call for a day of prayer and fasting for peace in war-torn countries like South Sudan and Congo is also a reminder for world leaders to protect their countrymen from violence and injustice, a Vatican official said.

WASHINGTON – Just as people are "struggling to survive" in Congo, aid agencies are struggling to meet their needs, said one aid worker.

BANGUI, Central African Republic - Catholic priests whose villages have been attacked have taken to Facebook to express outrage and appeal for help.

(RNS) — The abduction of two Catholic priests in Congo is raising concern over the number of hostages held by local militias in the troubled country.

ARU, Congo – Armed men kidnapped two Catholic priests in the troubled North Kivu province.

KINSHASA, Congo – Catholic bishops in Congo accused their government of suppressing civil liberties and demanded free elections envisaged under a church-brokered New Year accord.

RIIMENZE, South Sudan – Violence near South Sudan's border with Congo has driven 6,000 people from the countryside to shelter in the shadows of the village church, where some have been surviving on mangoes.

DECATUR, Ga. – Religion and science have intertwined in Divine Word Father Jean Ikanga's life and it began with a fearful mother.

MANCHESTER, England – Global demand for metallic ores used in cellphones is thwarting efforts to end war and violence in Congo, said an African priest.

KINSHASA, Congo – Congo's bishops said Catholics are facing a new wave of violence following the collapse of a church mediation plan, and in some places church leaders have fled to the forest.

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

OXFORD, England – Church leaders and organizations in Africa, Europe and the United States said it would be disastrous if U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order telling companies they no longer had to disclose whether their firms use "conflict minerals" from Congo.

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

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