In the dark hours of a night vigil, a Catholic church in Komanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, became the site of unimaginable horror. Dozens of faithful—men, women, and children—gathered in prayer were attacked and killed by extremists linked to the Islamic State. The massacre, which claimed over 40 lives, is a heartbreaking reminder of the growing dangers faced by Christians in the region.
According to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country, Monusco, at least 43 people were killed—among them 19 women, 15 men, and nine children. Most of them were participating in a prayer vigil at the church when the attackers struck.
“These targeted attacks against defenceless civilians, particularly in places of worship, are not only appalling but also in violation of all human rights standards and international humanitarian law,” said Vivian van de Perre, deputy chief of Monusco (source: BBC).
The attackers were identified as members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamist extremist group that began in Uganda in the 1990s and has since become part of the Islamic State’s Central African Province. Though it originated under the pretense of defending Muslim communities, the group has grown increasingly violent, targeting Christians and civilians of all faiths in both Uganda and the DRC.
“This is not only a crime against humanity—it is a crime against the Body of Christ,” said one local Catholic leader, who asked not to be named for safety reasons. “We were gathered to pray, and they came with machetes. This is the blood of martyrs.”
The Congolese military confirmed the nature of the attack, stating that “about 40 people were surprised and killed with machetes and several others were seriously injured.” The military spokesman in Ituri province, Lt. Jules Ngongo, added that the assault was likely designed to “divert attention from their ongoing joint military operation with the Ugandan military targeting the militant group” (source: BBC).
The attackers not only killed worshippers but also looted and set fire to nearby businesses and homes, spreading terror throughout the region.
Komanda lies in the mineral-rich Ituri province, a territory that has suffered for years from conflict between armed factions. In 2021, the DRC invited Ugandan troops into the region to help suppress the ADF, but the violence has not abated. Monusco recently warned of a “resurgence of violence,” citing attacks earlier this month that killed at least 47 people (source: BBC).
The faithful in Congo, especially Catholics, are increasingly vulnerable as churches—once places of refuge and peace—become targets of terror. As the Church mourns this grave loss, it also reaffirms the dignity of every human life and the hope of the Resurrection.
Let us pray for the souls of the victims, for comfort to their grieving families, and for an end to the violence that plagues the region. May their witness in death strengthen our witness in life.
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