DRC Catholics call for action over kidnapped priests

By Godfrey Olukya

ARU, Democratic Republic of Congo (AA) - The Catholic Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo has condemned the abduction of two of its priests by gunmen on Sunday night.

The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) also called for the release of three other clergymen kidnapped in 2012.

Two priests from Our Lady of the Angels church in the province of North Kivu were kidnapped by a group of armed men. The assailants reportedly also attacked a neighboring convent and looted property.

The kidnapping of the two men has brought to five the total number of Catholic clergy abducted in the last few years.

Fathers Jean Pierre Ndulani, Edmond Kisughu and Anselme Wasukundi were kidnapped in October 2012 in the city of Beni.

Beni has also been the scene of chronic unrest; on June 11, armed men attacked a prison in Beni killing eight guards and freeing more than 900 inmates.

In August last year, over 60 people were killed in a massacre in Beni.

A statement issued by CENCO denounced the insecurity and demanded the government ensure that all its citizens are protected.

''We request that the security and defense forces make every effort to free the two priests from their captors and dismantle the criminal network that destabilizes peace in the Beni region" the statement added.