Dear Friends,

I received news this past week that a new outbreak of violence occurred some 25 miles north of Beni (see article on p. 2 with details and some background information on the situation in this region of the Congo). After a brief lull, it appears that rebel factions have re-mobilized and have set out to re-install their reign of terror in the area.

Thousands of internal migrants seek refuge in Beni as a result of regional conflict

In the same letter Fr. Protais, the provincial of the Assumptionists in the Province of Africa, told me that, because of the good news that fund-raising for a school for orphans of war in Beni is proceeding so quickly, he re-visited the site we have purchased for this project and met again with the architect to fine-tune the plans. He is suggesting that we name the school, “Prince of Peace”, as a sign of our desire to dedicate our efforts there to the larger goal of fostering peace in the region and bringing this already too lengthy conflict to an end.

I would like to express special thanks to Fr. Chris Hickey, pastor of the collaborative bringing together the parishes of St. Mary of the Sacred Heart in Hanover, Massachusetts, and St. Helen in Norwell, for inviting me to preach at all the Masses recently and raising funds for this project. Not only did the generosity of the people of Hanover and Norwell allow us to approach the $35,000 mark, but their exceptional hospitality and interest served as a source of encouragement in continuing to make this dream become a reality.
My deepest appreciation to all of you!

Fr. John Franck, A.A., Assistant general

The Democratic Republic of the Congo: The explosive situation of the Beni region explained in four points by Trésor Kibangula

Three Assumptionist priests, Frs. Anselme, Edouard, and Jean-Pierre kidnapped three years ago today, October 19, 2012, near Beni. Their whereabouts remain unknown. Please pray for them.

This past October 12, eight more civilians were killed 25 miles north of Beni. The number of dead in the region has reached the thousand mark since last October in this eastern part of the DRC along the Ugandan border. The number of refugees, internal and external, has skyrocketed and numbers in the tens of thousands.

At the end of last October the president himself, Joseph Kabila, visited the region and tried to reassure the local population by promising to send additional troops to “conquer” those suspected of being responsible, namely, Ugandan rebels operating in the area. However, since his visit, things have not improved. To the contrary, they have deteriorated.

1) The national army and the United Nations forces underestimated the resiliency of the Ugandan rebels. They are well-armed, well-trained, and capable of re-organizing quickly.

2) There is some evidence to suggest that a local strongman, currently in hiding in South Africa, has allied himself with these rebels and is cooperating in the bloodshed in order to enhance his authority and influence in the area.

3) Why is the Beni region being targeted at present? Almost all experts agree that the geography of the area is particularly conducive to the presence of rebels --- the Virunga mountains, the vast and dense equatorial forest, and deep valleys. Moreover, the region is rich in minerals allowing rebel factions to exploit the gold, coltan, and diamonds for their sustenance.

4) The United Nations forces present in the region have discouraged the local populations from arming themselves and have assured them that they are adding troops and coordinating efforts with the national army. Given the multiplication of deaths, residents of the region have lost all confidence in this reassurance.

By Trésor Kibangula