Catholic schoolchildren in Congo mourn 27 classmates killed in fire

Catholic schoolchildren in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, gathered with candles on Sept. 17 at Our Lady of Mercy Parish to mourn 27 classmates killed in a fire. The blaze, which occurred on Sept. 10, affected three areas of the city and devastated both homes and schools.

The fires destroyed nearly 500 homes and left at least 2,000 people homeless. Most of the children who died attended Ujamaa and Furaha primary schools and participated in pastoral activities, including the children’s choir and groups such as Kizito, Anuarite, and the Angels of Heaven, according to Catholic communicator Benjamin Mukanire.

During a memorial Mass, Father Patrice Mukata Bayongwa, the provincial coordinator of Catholic state-subsidized schools for the Archdiocese of Bukavu, encouraged students to maintain their faith and hope despite their grief. The 27 victims were buried on Sept. 14 at the Ruzizi Cemetery.