A few months ago, the first Schoenstatt Shrine was inaugurated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (read more here). For some years now, this country has been suffering from conflict and civil war on its territory. At the beginning of 2025, the situation became more difficult and reached the area of the new Shrine, as we can see in the photo. Seminarian Agisha Gaetano from the Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers tells us more about this situation.
A mixed picture of a war imposed on a defenseless population
At the dawn of a new year, 2025, which promised many wonders because it was the year of hope, a murderous and merciless war, from which the Congolese people have not ceased to bear consequences, breaks out again in this part of the DRC. No respect for human dignity, no law or any form of rule is observed. The law of the jungle, in which the strongest is the master, prevails. A war where the population has difficulty in knowing its true enemy. Ironically, those who should be watching over the protection of the population are instead targeting it and ransoming day and night, even taking life without scruples. And then, no one is spared!
Schoenstatt, child of war
The city of Uvira, where the very first Schoenstatt Shrine in the country (Mount Zion BULA) had just been consecrated 8 months ago, is also struck by the psychosis of a war on its doorstep. For a city reputed to be resistant, on February 22, 2025, it was time to count between the indigenous resistance fighters and the military, who were accused by the former of wanting to leave with weapons and ammunition and abandon the city to the rebels. However, the rebellion has not yet made its entry into Uvira. This account currently presents the population of Uvira as being caught in the crossfire: that of the resistance fighters, nicknamed “WAZALENDO”, and the Loyalist Soldiers, nicknamed “FARDC”; too, next to them, the fear of seeing the city of Uvira be the scene of a massacre by the rebels who are advancing by leaps and bounds towards this city bordering Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi.
As a result of these chaotic situations, the city is out of control. Shops are looted, houses… the nights are now long and tumultuous. And while no one is spared, some are more targeted regarding rank and responsibility than others.
For example, the bishop of the Diocese of Uvira, Monsignor Sébastien Muyengo Mulombe paid the price two days ago when he was visited by soldiers who took advantage of the situation to demand money from him. More than one religious community and presbytery were also reported to have been attacked by armed men. The grounds of our Shrine have been occupied until now by the indigenous resistance fighters who have erected a military camp there.
What can we say about all these losses of human life? There are corpses on the roads, women and girls are being raped and mutilated all day long, young men are recruited forcefully into armed groups. As a result, they are separated families.
This umpteenth war considerably weakens an economic system that was already dying and in which the majority of the people did not find themselves.
A glimmer of hope
Our faith in divine providence seems to give us a glimmer of hope. Our faith in the intercession of our Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen of Schoenstatt, allows us to dream of a brighter future, of peace and understanding among the Congolese people.
Of course, Schoenstatt’s story shows us that war has always been part of it, but above all, the Virgin Mary knew how to protect and bring peace wherever she settled. This time too, as at Cana; she will obtain for us from her son; the peace we ask of her.
Holy Mary, Queen of Hope, please intercede for us!
