A Catholic Priest has died from a gun shot by thieves in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Newsroom (12/08/2022 10:45 AM, Gaudium Press) Last Sunday, August 7, Bishop Timoteo Bodika of Kikwit announced the death of Fr. Godofredo Pembele.

Father Godofredo Pembel died as a result of a gunshot wound fired by bandits who assaulted the parish of St. Murumba in the city of Kazamba.

Last Saturday night, August 6, two Congolese parishes were vandalized and robbed by a group of armed men.

The parish of Saint Mukasa, in the diocese of Kikwit, was vandalized and had some objects stolen.

Also the parish of St. Murumba was attacked. Armed men broke into the church and tied up one of the priests of the parish while they were robbing the temple.

Then the bandits went to Father Godofredo Pembele’s quarters and shot him. Then the criminals fled.

The shot hit the shoulder of the priest who was quickly taken to a hospital in the capital Kinshasa.

However, the priest died on Sunday morning, August 7, as a result of the gunshot wound. Father Godofredo was the pastor of the church of Saint Joseph Mukasa.

The mayor of the locality, Léonard Mutangu believes that the bandits may have attacked him for possible valuables after a recent priestly ordination at the parish.

The authorities are investigating the crime in search of information that may lead to the whereabouts of the criminals.

Less than a week ago other parishes were also broken into by criminals, vandalized and even burned down. (FM)

Compiled by Florence MacDonald