AFRICA/CONGO DR - "We want thorough investigation into the violence against the clergy in Lodja" asks civil society

Friday, 7 November 2014

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - After more than 20 days since the violent act against two priests and a nun, which took place on 12 and 13 October in Lodja in Kasai Oriental Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (see Fides 14/10 / 2014), investigations have not made any progress. This was denounced by the "New Civil Society in Congo" (NSCC) during a press conference in Kinshasa, news of which was sent to Agenzia Fides. "We are concerned about the attack against priests and nuns in Lodja. We see that freedom of expression is threatened by political intolerance in our Country", said the National Coordinator of NSCC, Jonas Tshombela.
The two priests had read the Message during Mass in which the Congolese Bishops declare themselves contrary to the constitution reform to allow President Joseph Kabila to compete in the election for a third term (see Fides 17/09/2014). Then some young boys attacked the convent of the Franciscan Sisters. A nun was hit.
Jonas Tshombela denounced the impunity of those who committed the crime against the religious: "We deplore the Republic of impunity. (...). These young people, clearly manipulated, what right do they have to touch a nun? It is intolerable. We demand an investigation and that those responsible are brought to justice". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 07/11/2014)


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