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DRC

• Dozens Killed in Church Attack

  

  During the early hours of Sunday, July 27th, more than 40 Christians were killed when Islamic militants attacked a church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The worshippers had gathered for a late-night prayer meeting at their church in Komanda, a town located in the province of Ituri, when members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) suddenly entered the building and began to shoot those who were present. In addition to attacking the church, the militants set fire to several houses and shops in the community. Reports also indicate that at least 20 children were taken hostage during the raid.

• Church Attacks Result in Fatalities and Kidnappings

  

  Members of the Eglise Message du Temps church are calling for "fervent prayer" after being struck by an attack on January 30th. The church is located within the community of Baeti in the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The attackers have been identified as members of a militant group associated with ISIS.

• Increasing Violence by IS Terrorists

  

  According to an analysis conducted by BBC Monitoring, the self-declared terrorist group, Islamic State (IS), and its affiliated members have significantly escalated a campaign of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. During the first half of 2023, the terrorists claimed to have instigated 58 violent attacks in the DR Congo, targeting those whom they identify as Christians. These attacks are concentrated in the eastern provinces of North Kivu and Ituri.

• Fatal Church Bombing

  

  On January 15th, a joint baptismal service was held in the town of Kasindi, which is located in eastern DR Congo. During the service, two men apparently entered the building and left a bag containing explosives before vacating the church premises. The resulting explosion killed at least 14 people and injured dozens of others. As the local hospital was quickly filled with wounded church members, some of the victims had to be transported by United Nations helicopters to the provincial capital of Goma.

• Over 100 Killed by Islamic Militants

  

  Over a hundred people, largely Christians, have died in mass attacks launched by Islamic extremists in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since the beginning of 2021. On January 4th, an estimated 22 people had been killed in an overnight raid on the village of Mwenda. A week earlier, at least 42 were slain in two separate attacks within the same region. Then, on January 14th, approximately 46 people died at the hands of the militant Islamic group, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

• Christians Targeted in Village Raids

  

  At least 30 Christians have been killed in a string of attacks on villages in the Democratic Republic of Congo between November 20th and December 3rd. Along with these deaths, ten women and girls were raped and fifteen were abducted. An Islamist rebel group, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), is believed to be responsible.

• Thousands Flee Militant Islamist Violence

  

  Islamist militants are suspected to have killed between 20 and 40 villagers in the eastern areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Late in the evening on May 3rd, attackers carried machetes and axes into a village located within the North Kivu province. "Between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., the enemy managed to get past army positions and kill peaceful residents in their homes," reports local administrator Bernard Amisi Kalonda.

• Uncompromising Faith

  

  As Islam gains influence in this country, militant Muslim groups continue in their aggressive pursuit for greater political hold. Traditional African religions are also growing in number with members claiming that Jesus is a "God of white people." The following are two prayer requests that have been brought to our attention by VOM Australia's ministry representatives.

• Priest Flogged to Death

  According to reports from the region, nine members of Democratic Republic of Congo's anti-Christian "Muene" sect killed a Catholic priest on August 17 and plundered the Kizu Parish, near Tshela, in the country's northern Bas-Congo province.  One of the parish priests, upon seeing the assailants, fled into nearby forest while a second priest was tied up and flogged to death.  Tshela police said no arrest had been made.

  The Voice of the Martyrs has a partner ministry in DR Congo. Pray that God will give them wisdom as they deal with increasing persecution in their country. Pray that those who are grieving the death of the murdered priest find comfort in the Lord and support from one another (2 Corinthians 1:3-7). Also pray that those who are responsible for this crime will be prosecuted.