Martyr in Congo

Chapter 4. A new mission: Kiliba

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Fr. John on his arrival in Congo

When Bishop Danilo Catarzi decided to found a mission in Kiliba, a locality along the road that connected Uvira to Usumbura, capital of Burundi, Father John was among the first to be sent there. He thus moved from the mountains to the plains.

The mission of Kiliba was set up to provide spiritual assistance to the thousands of people who had been drawn there by the opening of the large Sucraf company sugar factory. In a very short period of time, a large village grew up around the factory, home to the workers and their families. The mission also provided schools and a dispensary.

Father John thus described his new task: “The mission was opened by a Missionary of Africa and a Xaverian. The Missionary of Africa has been assigned to another place and I have come to take over from him. Another Xaverian Father from Italy joined us recently. There is a mountainous area here too, but not like the one in Baraka. There are more than 35,000 inhabitants, though they are not as dispersed throughout the territory as they were in Baraka. Though we are in Congo, Kiliba maintains close ties with Usumbura because it is nearby and the westerners who work in the Sucraf sugar factory are friendly with the Europeans of Usumbura. Unfortunately, prices have shot up and there is some apprehension among the traders and the western employees of the Sucraf.

After the independence of the country, three different governments were formed, each one claiming to be legitimate; no one knows how things will turn out. We can only hope that the (imported) communism does not get the upper hand: if it does, we missionaries will be forced to return to Italy, if they do not cut off our heads first. Our Lady, the Queen of Congo, will save us from the threat of communism. I am on good terms with Father Viotti, who is a holy and zealous man. There is a third missionary with us, Father Alvisi, who has just arrived and does not yet know the language. The work is hard, but very fulfilling: catechesis, confessions, ministry to the sick people, the Legion of Mary, the “Xaveri” (Xaverian Youth Association), besides the visits to the villages.

My health is good and I would never believed that I had so much energy. In the month of October, we organized a Marian pilgrimage in Kiliba. We were very tired at the end, but what satisfaction it gave us! Catholics, Protestants, Animists and Muslims all came together on the occasion. Our Heavenly Mother knows how to conquer people’s hearts. There were so many at confession and communion! We are now preparing about a hundred catechumens for baptism, and many children for Confirmation and First Communion”.

Origins of Christianity in Congo

In 1875-77 explorer Stanley was able to cross Congo from East to West. Christianity settled first around the Lake Tanganika, in the Kivu region, and the missionaries preferred location was Baraka. Two Missionaries of Africa, after some search in Uvira, established themselves in Baraka. But they soon found out the hardship of this location, and had to abandon the mission because of malaria, sleep epidemic, tribal wars, slavery and killings. Between 1904 and 1907, some 20 young missionaries died!

We can only hope that the (imported) communism does not get the upper hand: if it does, we missionaries will be forced to return to Italy, if they do not cut off our heads first. Our Lady, the Queen of Congo, will save us from the threat of communism.
Fr. John Didone'

The mission of Uvira experienced a growth in the 1930s with the opening of a port (Kalundu), a railway of 55 miles between the Lake Tanganika and the Kivu region, new roads between Bukavu and Usumbura. More than 600 European established banks and hotels in the area, mainly because of the presence of natural resource in the area.

On September 15, 1933, missionaries established themselves in Uvira, with lots of work to do in a extended area of 200 miles diameter. They worked with many populations of diverse customs and languages: the Wabembe, the Bavira, the Bafulero and the Banyaruanda. They established schools, multiplied chapels and churches, instructed leaders of communities (many of whom were non-Christians) to teach the Catechism, and organized Catholic Action groups and Scouts in their mission posts. In 1935, there was a total of 737 Catholics in the Diocese of Uvira!

In 1950s, other organizations were born, such as Legion of Mary and Sacred Hearts leagues. For the youth, the movement “Xaveri” was formed following the scout method. A hospital, clinics, and technical schools for women and young girls were also established, which opened the way for the advent of religious sisters to come and work in Uvira. The first Xaverian missionaries arrived in November 1958.

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