In war-torn areas like Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Church stands as both a sanctuary and a frontline witness to human suffering. As conflict rages, displacing millions and deepening ethnic and political divisions, the Church finds itself navigating a delicate balance offering hope while grappling with its limitations.
Beyond its spiritual mission, how is the Church affected? What challenges do these unending conflicts present to the Church?, and how is the Church struggling to push its mission? This piece explores the state of the Church in conflict zones, its role in peace-building, its struggles, its resilience, and its humanitarian efforts.
Between Sunday, 26th January, and 27th January 2025, the M23 rebels occupied the city of Goma in DRC, causing intense clashes with the Congolese Forces and escalating tensions and violence. The M23 group vowed to take the city, and the DRC force responded by fighting the group. This move escalated total unrest in the town, resulting in killings and injuries. As the conflict worsened, civilians were forced to flee their homes to neighboring areas, and others sought refuge in Church-owned facilities within the city. This bolstered the Church’s role as a sanctuary and a frontline witness of human suffering in times of crisis. In these conflict situations, Religious institutions like hospitals and schools play crucial roles in sheltering victims fleeing from conflict, and while doing so, the Church advocates for peace-building, providing humanitarian aid, mediating between warring factions, and advocating for humanity or justice.
However, these continued conflicts pose a massive challenge to the Church. The religious people become targeted, and while the Church stands as a beacon of hope for those seeking refuge, it is also caught in the crossfire, making it an open target of violence. this crisis, on 27th January 2025 Willy Ngumbi Ngengele, M. Afr, a Roman Catholic Bishop of Goma, was forced to write a heartfelt appeal expressing deep sorrow over the bombings of Church-owned facilities in Goma, “I am disgusted to learn of the bombings, among other, of the neonatal department of the Hôpital Général de Référence Charité Maternelle, causing the death of new-born babies, and the bombing of the concession of the diocesan procure, destroying the windows of the new building that was recently inaugurated.” said bishop Ngumbi. He further condemned the looting of shops and warehouses done by civilians and sometimes the military as it is worsening an already deplorable humanitarian situation.
Psychological Torture of Conflict on the Religious
Often, laypeople portray priests and nuns as ‘perfect humans’, immune to fear, despair, and emotional breakdown. But this isn’t the case. Priests and nuns have stuck to their mission in wartorn areas, witnessing the brutal killings of civilians and even their fellow missionaries, praying for the dead, comforting the grieving, and offering hope to the worried communities. Yet who comforts them? Who listens to those missionaries from war-raged countries like Sudan and DRC working in peaceful countries when their fellow citizens and family members are in the middle of a war? Who listens to their silent cries when faith is tested by relentless violence?
Speaking to Fr. Jean-Paul Katembo Muhandiro, a Comboni missionary from DRC working in Kenya. He describes his challenge in communicating messages of hopes to his people, even as a priest.
“Part of any religious leader’s responsibility or call among the people he serves is to give them hope. However, it becomes very challenging to communicate hope to the people and promise them better days when reality doesn’t provide any signs. The question of suffering has always been part of theological reflections, and many transcendental efforts are needed to reconcile faith and human suffering. In my home country, peace has become a foreign word. War has been there to the extent that asking people to pray for peace becomes challenging. People feel like they have prayed enough. This feeling, as much as it looks like a sign of despair, pushes people to take into their hands their destiny and work concretely for peace. Also, most people have grown resilient. We have to keep encouraging people to pray, giving them hope while committing ourselves to taking concrete steps.”
He further clarifies that he, as a priest, is also human, and these sufferings and torture also often cut deep wounds in his heart.
“As human beings, suffering will always affect us. I feel my people’s pain and struggle, and sometimes, this feeling grows into revolt. It is not human to sit and watch people being slaughtered over decades in the silence of the world. Humanity will continue to lose its sense if people in the world continue to be led by selfish, materialistic, and egocentric leaders. There is a need to go back to the Ubuntu spirit, where my existence depends on the existence of others. Only growth in genuine and honest Pan Africanism can change our continent. An ideology that remains in speeches, conferences, and books will not impact and change our sad reality.”
Fr. Jean-Paul concludes that even as a religious leader, one should not just ‘pray and leave it there’ but ‘pray and work for it.’ “As we pray for peace, we have to work for it. There is no human Suffering that should leave us unconcerned. God’s original plan for humanity is that it may be like Him: peaceful, joyful, loving, and caring. He made us for Him because we belong to Him, but He also created us for each other. Nobody is made for himself/herself because no one came to the world by himself/herself.”
Resilience through Faith
Despite these challenges, Priests continue serving in devastating situations, and faith communities continue to respond. Recently, Pope Francis, in his General Audience, recognized and thanked the priests who are serving in war zones.
Speaking to Fr. Christopher Silwembe, a Comboni priest working in Kenya, he acknowledges that the people in these zones are suffering. He highlights that the humanitarian toll is staggering, that is; displacement, hunger, and the collapse of social structures that leave millions vulnerable. He then points out that the Church striving to be a refuge is not spared in this mess.
“The Church’s mission is to serve as the moral compass and a source of hope, yet this mission is constantly under threat in conflict zones. The loss of faith institutions in such regions weakens not only spiritual well-being but also access to essential services such as education and healthcare, which many churches provide. Priests, nuns, and lay leaders face persecution, and places of worship are either destroyed or repurposed by armed groups. Therefore, from where I stand, I see the urgent need for homegrown peace-building initiatives and humanitarian aid to support both the affected communities and the Church, which remains a vital pillar of resilience in these troubled areas.”
He then concludes that, as a priest, resilience in faith is non-negotiable.
“Yes, the people’s suffering mirrors Christ’s Passion, yet faith must remain unshaken in these moments of despair. As a priest, I am deeply moved by the courage of clergy and believers who continue to serve despite the dangers, embodying Christ’s call to be peacemakers.”
In his appeal, Bishop Ngumbi of Goma emphasized resilience in faith as he called on the clergy, the consecrated, and the faithful to offer necessary help to anyone in need. “In this grave hour, I assure the entire population of Goma of the closeness and compassion of the Catholic Church, feeling close, in a special way, to the injured and the families of the victims.”
The Church and International Support
While faith offers resilience, the Church cannot bear the burden alone. The international community must recognize and support religious institutions as key partners in reconciliation and peace-building efforts. Thus, the fight for human dignity. This is evident with the help of international organizations like the UN and the WHO, which offer support for basic needs to the people in conflict zones.
Bishop Ngumbi supports this call to action, stating, “I call on all parties involved in the current armed conflict, as well as the population, to show absolute respect for human life and for private and public infrastructures, which must be respected by all in all circumstances, in accordance with human dignity and international law.”
The Future of the Church in Conflict-Ridden Societies
In conflict-ridden areas, the Church is both a refuge and a mediator, offering hope to those caught in the clash. However, those two roles are disrupted when the conflicting parties fail to recognise the Church’s role in peace-building. As the members of the clergy become direct targets, churches and other religious institutions dismantled, the church battles for survival. Resources become scarce, and the few available are overstretched. Congregants displaced and communities scattered, efforts to reach those that are in dire need even become a greater challenge.
For a better future, the Church must not give up on advocating for its compassion, justice, and peace mission. The Church must encourage dialogues between conflicting parties, actively engage in peace talks, and work with international organizations to promote humanitarian efforts.
For the stronger protection of religious institutions in war zones, the Church should advocate at global and governmental levels. By adapting to these realities, the Church will continue to be a sanctuary for the vulnerable and an icon for peace.
Can the Church sustain its Role?
Despite the many challenges, the Church continues to stand. The walls might crumble, but its mission will continue to stand. There is a clear resilience through faith as religious leaders continue to serve as morals encompassed in conflict zones. Bishop Ngumbi, in his appeal, is confident in the Lord that further violence will not occur as he prays for peace in Congo. This shows that no matter the circumstance, the Church confidently believes in her mission that there is a better Tomorrow.
