The anticipation for the return of Archbishop Emmanuel Kataliko to
his Archdiocese of Bukavu (administrative centre of South Kivu,
Democratic Republic of Congo) grows, as also the insecurity in his
territory. Another two raids were in fact carried out, in the last
two weeks, against religious structures, both situated on the
outskirts of the Congolese administrative centre and near to Rwandan
commanded military bases of the RCD-Goma (faction of the Congolese
Rally for Democracy backed by Kigali). Raids in fact denounced in a
document, published on Wednesday the 29th of March by the
Consultative Board nominated by the Church of Bukavu during the
absence of the Archbishop, entitled: 'Why has Archbishop Kataliko
still not returned to Bukavu?' The first incursion - as pointed out
by the board - was aimed at the Convent of the Sisters of the Sacred
Family of Bagira-Nyakavogo. The attack, carried out by 14 armed men
including 12 in uniform, began on the 19th of March at around 21:00
at night and ended at 2:00 in the morning (local time). Some of the
bandits spoke in Swahili (one of the 5 official languages of Congo
Kinshasa) and others Kinyarwanda (the Rwandan language). While on
the 26th of March, at 1:00 in the morning, a group of 12 armed men
dressed in uniform also broke into the presbytery of the Catholic
Parish of Kasha-Ciriri, immediately after having robbed a nearby
home. The Board did not give details of eventual injury to the
religious personnel involved in the raid. While it did however
comment the lack of interest in investigating the attacks and the
situation of insecurity in the administrative centre. All this -
concluded the Board - while the RCD claimed to be preparing
conditions for the return of Archbishop Kataliko, who since the 12th
of February has been relegated to his diocese of origin, Butembo
(North Kivu). The prelate was returning from a meeting held in
Kinshasa by the Bishops Conference when he was blocked by soldiers
and forced to leave the territory controlled by the RCD-Goma. The
measure taken against the Archbishop, unfoundedly accused of
creating inter-ethnic hatred, was strongly condemned by the Vatican
and, among many others, also the US and European Union.