Armed with guns and machetes, members of the Islamist ‘Allied Democratic Forces’ raided a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a nighttime Mass on Sunday and killed more than 40 Christians.
More than 100 people in the northeastern city of Komanda were taking part in the Catholic service at the time of the attack, celebrating the parish’s 25th anniversary. Nine children were among those killed, and others—aged between 12 and 14—were taken hostage.
Bodies were also found in burnt houses nearby.
The so-called Allied Democratic Forces is affiliated with the Islamic State, and is itself considered a terrorist organisation by the Ugandan government and the United States. Reports say it has been linked to more than 80 civilian deaths in recent weeks.
Missionaries from Italy serve in the Komanda church. Following the attack, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani stressed that “places of worship must always be preserved, and religious freedom protected.”
Italy stands with the families of the victims and the Congolese people.
The New York Times has also since revealed that the church requested security from the local authorities ahead of celebrations back in June. Father Aimé Lokana Dhego, the church’s priest, said: “Unfortunately, no intervention took place during the attack.” He added that the army and United Nations forces arrived only afterward “to count and assess the dead and damages.”
Ongoing searches are taking place for additional victims.
