Assault at the SCJ Scholasticate in Kisangani, Congo
The Jean Dehon Scholasticate in Kisangani was attacked with a gun on the night of March 12-13, 2023. Fathers and scholastics were tortured and injured.
While all the Dehonians of the world are preparing for the celebration of the 180th anniversary of the birth of their founder, and at the moment when the Dehonians of the province of Congo are gathered in a provincial assembly, some criminals started yesterday night to disturb this festive and fraternal atmosphere.
During the night of March 12 to 13, 2023, from 11 pm to 3 am, the Jean Dehon Scholasticate in Kisangani was attacked by a dozen armed bandits. Father Jean-Paul Bungamane, who was present at the scene and was the victim of the attack, reports:
“They looted and tortured the two fathers (Jonas and myself) as well as the scholastics, injuring two of them. The intervention of the police was very late due to the length of the operation. The main target was the parish priest and the treasurer of the community, as the criminals suggested. They have systematically looted in different rooms of the confreres as you will see in the pictures”.
Through these images, we can measure the gravity of this despicable act against religious who dedicate themselves to their mission among the people. May the Lord bless the Jean Dehon Scholasticate of Kisangani and make their ministry always fruitful. We wish a good recovery to the injured confreres.
