Church demands return of Bukavu bishop

The Catholic church in Bukavu has called for the return of the town's bishop, Emmanuel Kataliko, who has been declared persona non grata by the rebel Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD) authorities. In a statement, it said that until he came back, there would be an end to church worship in the Bukavu diocese. It also called on worshippers to abstain from violence and street protests. The statement condemned
Kataliko's expulsion from RCD-controlled territory at the weekend, saying claims that he had been inciting ethnic hatred were a "defamation". The rebel authorities have accused the Catholic church of being behind a civil disobedience campaign in Bukavu.

The Vatican meanwhile confirmed Kataliko had been prevented from returning to his diocese and said he was currently in his home town of Butembo. A Vatican statement, reported by MISNA news agency, called for the "unconditional return of the bishop among his people" and said it would use diplomatic channels to "remedy such an unpleasant episode that seriously violates the rights of the church".