By Our Reporter
Christians in the eastern Congolese city of Goma gathered in large numbers on Sunday to celebrate Easter, marking their first commemoration of the resurrection of Christ since the city fell under the control of the M23 rebel group in January. Despite the palpable atmosphere of fear and tension, the faithful came together in a powerful display of unity and resilience.
At the Holy Spirit Parish, one of the city’s largest churches, the pews were filled with worshippers dressed in vibrant Easter attire. Families, elders, and children joined in solemn prayer and jubilant song, clinging to hope in the midst of an uncertain future. The sound of church bells and hymns echoed across the city, momentarily overshadowing the hum of military presence and the low-key patrols of rebel forces outside.
Easter, one of the most significant events in the Christian calendar, took on an added layer of meaning this year for Goma’s residents. The city, located in the North Kivu province near the Rwandan border, has been a flashpoint in the DRC’s long-running conflict involving government forces, rebel groups, and regional actors. The M23, a Tutsi-led rebel movement, launched a renewed offensive in 2022 and took control of Goma earlier this year, forcing thousands to flee and destabilizing the already fragile region.
Amid this backdrop, Sunday’s Mass offered a rare moment of collective spiritual reflection—and a bold call for peace.
Bishop Willy Ngumbi Ngengele, the bishop of Goma, delivered a passionate homily centered on reconciliation, nonviolence, and the urgent need for dialogue. He urged both the community and those in power to pursue paths of unity and compassion.
“This is a day when we must all be men and women of peace,” Bishop Ngengele declared. “Let us set aside everything that divides us—tribalism, hatred, vengeance. Let us not work for evil, for death, or for insecurity. Let us instead commit ourselves to peace, to security, to brotherhood, and to love.”
In a symbolic and somewhat controversial moment, Corneille Nangaa, a senior political figure within the M23 movement and a former president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), was present at the service. His attendance drew mixed reactions from congregants—some seeing it as a possible gesture of goodwill, others as a stark reminder of the power dynamics reshaping daily life in Goma.
Outside the church, security was visibly tight, but the service concluded without incident. Many attendees expressed cautious optimism that the shared space of worship could foster dialogue and potentially ease tensions.
“We came here today not just to pray, but to show we are still one people,” said Bernadette, a mother of three who fled fighting in nearby villages but returned for Easter. “We want peace more than anything.”
As Goma’s residents navigate life under rebel rule, this year’s Easter Mass stood out as a moment of profound spiritual solidarity—a testament to faith enduring in the face of conflict.
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