The Bishop of Birkenhead says prayer is urgently needed for our Christian brothers and sisters, following reports of rebel attacks on the town of Boga, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ugandan daily newspaper, New Vision, reported that over the course of three hours in the early hours of Friday 23 August, more than 200 youth, children, and women were abducted, shops were looted, and cows were stolen.
Bishop William Bahemuka, the Bishop of the Diocese of Boga, told the paper that the situation is "terrible", he said: "People are terrified. Families are traumatized and grieving over their abducted loved ones."
Bishop William also appealed for a "massive outpouring of sustained prayer from Christians everywhere."
Following the reports, Bishop Keith has called for urgent prayers for all those caught up in the violence.
Bishop Keith says: “Dear brothers and sisters, you will see the need for urgent prayer. Boga has been attacked by rebels and +William is asking for prayer and support. Boga is in a rural area to the south of Bunia where there are already thousands of displaced people seeking protection and safety. Please ask your church to pray and circulate this as you are able."
The Diocese of Chester is linked to the Anglican Dioceses of Aru, and Boga in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The link was formalised at the time of the Lambeth Conference in 2008. Since then, through regular visits from the people and parishes of the Diocese of Chester to Congo, and from key Congolese church leaders to the UK, a deepening relationship and friendship has formed between the three dioceses.
