Welcome

People were tied up and thrown alive into burning houses, others were beheaded, dismembered and their body parts strewn around. The very first victims were the displaced people in their camps, the sick in the hospital and unarmed civilians. The newly built hospital, provided by the Anglican Diocese of Boga and MSF (Doctors Without Borders) was looted and burnt down.

The town of Boga in the Democratic Republic of Congo is situated north of the Beni region, just east of the Ugandan border, and south of the Blue Mountains. The region is a breeding ground for armed groups who have allied with various local community groups in the region to commit murder and mayhem. 

A local official blamed one of the most violent groups, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which is linked to the ISIL (ISIS) group, for the atrocities in Boga. The Kinshasa Government seems to be powerless in protecting the local population from such extreme violence. 

With all that is happening, people have no other option than leave the region to seek safety elsewhere. Many are moving north towards Bunia, and some are crossing to Uganda. It is estimated that more than 10,000 people are on the move. 

The Boga region has the highest concentration of the Anglicans in DR Congo.  Bishop William and the Anglican Diocese of Boga is doing all it can to assist those who are leaving the area. Many of them are now being hosted by church families and in church buildings. The host families themselves are also poor and live from hand to mouth on a daily basis. The Diocese is distributing food packages and personal hygiene items as it can afford to. The Diocese also hired three lorries/trucks to help evacuate people from Boga.

Bishop William’s niece was one of the children who were abducted. She has since been recovered and is now in the hands of the army and police.

Anglican Mission International, of which Bishop William is a Mission Partner Bishop, and other friends of the Diocese of Boga have sent funds but much much more is needed. 

The Collect for Peace

O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, 

in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, 

whose service is perfect freedom: 

Defend us, thy humble servants, 

in all assaults of our enemies; 

that we, surely trusting in thy defense, 

may not fear the power of any adversaries; 

through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.