DRC's Catholic bishops' conference criticized amid eastern security crisis

Former minister François Rubuta accused the Democratic Republic of Congo's National Episcopal Conference (CENCO) and the C64 platform of undermining national security in the east. He urged the church bodies to prioritize defending the country's territorial integrity, ending foreign occupations and restoring peace rather than engaging in political actions in Kinshasa. Rubuta highlighted that parts of North‑Kivu and South‑Kivu remain under the control of armed groups such as M23/AFC and alleged Rwandan influence, and warned that protests and statements by CENCO and C64 could distract from addressing the conflict.

In a separate development, the archdiocese of Kananga issued a call for unity after CENCO's June 19 declaration rejecting any constitutional revision triggered tensions among priests and faithful. The vicariate warned against hate speech and manipulation on social media, urging the faithful to support Archbishop Félicien Ntambwe, uphold communion, and refrain from joining dissenting clergy.