In the early hours of July 27, 2025, militants from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an ISIS-affiliated rebel group, stormed a Catholic church in Komanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, during a nighttime prayer vigil.
Armed with guns and machetes, they slaughtered at least 40 worshippers at the Parish of Blessed Anuarite, including women, men, and nine children, while abducting others into the surrounding bush.
This savage attack, which also involved burning homes and looting shops, underscores the relentless threat to Christian communities in the region.
The church was celebrating its 25th anniversary when the raiders struck around 1 a.m., turning a sacred gathering into a scene of horror.
Victims’ bodies were later prepared for burial in a mass grave on church grounds, with some charred remains discovered in nearby torched buildings.
Despite prior requests for security from local authorities in June, no protection was provided, allowing the attackers to escape before the Congolese army or UN forces arrived.
The ADF, originating in Uganda in the 1990s and now operating as part of ISIS’s Central African Province, has escalated its campaign of terror in eastern Congo.
In recent weeks, the group has been linked to over 80 civilian deaths, shifting from hit-and-run raids to seizing territory, imposing “taxes,” and forcing locals to study the Quran.
This latest massacre in Ituri province highlights how such extremists exploit mineral-rich areas, preying on defenseless civilians amid a patchwork of over 100 armed factions.
Congolese military officials vowed to pursue the ADF to their last stronghold, blaming the assault on revenge for joint operations with Uganda.
Residents expressed frustration over the lack of timely intervention, despite a heavy security presence nearby, raising doubts about the effectiveness of ongoing efforts.
The UN peacekeeping mission condemned the violence as a violation of human rights, noting a recent resurgence that has displaced millions in Ituri and North Kivu.
In a telegram sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Fulgence Muteba Mugalu, President of the Congo Episcopal Conference, Pope Leo XIV expressed that he “learned with dismay and deep sorrow” about the violent attack on the Parish of Blessed Anuarite in Komanda.
In his message, Pope Leo XIV prayed, “May the blood of these martyrs become a seed of peace, reconciliation, fraternity, and love for the people of the Congo.”
International voices, including France and Italy, where missionaries serve in the church, denounced the raid, stressing the need to safeguard places of worship and religious freedom.
This tragedy in Komanda serves as a stark reminder of the dangers facing Christians in conflict zones, where radical ideologies fuel bloodshed against the innocent. As survivors flee and searches for the missing continue, the incident fuels calls for robust international support to protect Christian populations.
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