Spiritans Remember the Kongolo Martyrs

On Jan. 1, 2012, Spiritans in the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere in the world will mark the 50th anniversary of the death of 20 Spiritan confreres–19 Belgians and one Dutch–in Kongolo, Congo, with prayer and remembrance.

This sad and inspiring event occurred after the Congo gained independence on June 30, 1960. Soldiers of the central government were sent to suppress a rebellion against the new government in the Katanga Province. Entering the town of Kongolo on Dec. 31, 1961, the soldiers found that most inhabitants had fled. Only the Spiritan confreres stayed behind together with two diocesan priests, the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Kongolo, two foreigners, and the elderly and sick who could not get away.

That night the soldiers imprisoned all the Spiritans, the sisters and several others in army barracks. On Jan. 1, 1962, the Spiritan priests were lined up and killed, falling while giving their blessings to their executioners.

The confreres knew they risked being killed when they decided to stay in Kongolo. They died remaining faithful to the poor who were in their care, as many others have done in Angola, Sierra Leone, Congo-Brazzaville and other countries where the Spiritans devote their lives to those they serve.

The present-day Kongolo diocese, Congo-Kinshasa Foundation, Belgium region, General Council in Rome and the whole Spiritan congregation will join in commemorating this event in late December and on Jan. 1, 2012 and on Pentecost Sunday 2012. The 20 Kongolo martyrs also will be remembered during the upcoming Spiritan General Chapter meeting in Bagamoyo, Tanzania, June 24 to July 22, 2012.

The Congo suffers from years of government mismanagement and civil war that have left widespread poverty, a crumbling infrastructure and political instability. Earlier this week, the government held elections for a new president and parliament. Marked by missing ballots, violence and political tension, this was only the second election since the 2003 civil conflict that left 5 million people dead.

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