Martyr in Burundi

Chapter 5. Tragic events in Burundi

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Catina in Buyengero, among the people she loved

Burundi experienced much tragic political events from 1993 onward. The President Buyoya tried hard to favor a democratic process in the country, and allowed free presidential elections on June 1, 1993, and political elections on June 29. Contrary to the expectations of the Army and the One Party (UPRONA), Melchior Ndadaye was elected president, a Hutu who belonged to the FRODEBU (Democratic Front of Burundi). His party was assigned 65 of the 81 seats in the parliament. The newly elected President showed wisdom and moderation, by asking Tutsis to be part of the cabinet of his new government.

Unfortunately, the Army (headed by former President Bagaza) started showing signs of dissent, and killed the newly elected President, his Vice-President and many leaders of the FRODEBU, on October 13, 1993. There was an immediate reaction by extremist Hutus who saw their legitimate dreams vanishing. Conflicts between the two ethnic groups escalated, and thousands of people were killed, among them Christians, priests, sisters, and seminarians. In two months, some 100,000 Hutus died tragically of gun violence, while about 800,000 became refugees in camps in neighboring countries.

She would challenge us on our poverty, for Catina lived her vow of poverty! It was because of her savings that we were able to build the mission church in Kitemba. Together, we celebrated the 5:30am Christmas Mass, a dawn of hope for that small Christian community.
Fr. Modesto on
Ms. Catina Gubert

On January 13, 1994, another hutu President was appointed, Cyprien Ntaryamira, but he himself was killed in an airplane bombing on April 6, at Kigali, together with the President of Rwanda and other cabinet ministers. The church was not spared by these hideous crimes, led by the philosophy of former dictator Bagaza of eliminating the influence of the Church on the people of Burundi.

The Bishop of Ruyigi was lucky to escape an attack at his residence, since he was in Europe. But the 30 seminarians and three sisters were not that lucky, and were killed, beaten down by the army officers. The Bishop of Bujumbura suffered the loss of his brother and his family, and the Bishop himself escaped an attempt of his life in 1995. Some 15 local priests were killed in less than two years.

Children, families and Xaverians gather at Buyengero, in front of the Martyrs' Tomb

In Buyengero

Coming from Tanzania, Catina reappears in Burundi, bringing some medical supplies and apparatus. Fr. Modesto invited Catina to stay for a few months with him in Buyengero, and she could not say no to this request. He shares: “Together, we tried to rebuild what was destroyed by many months of war and internal conflicts.  Catina was sustained by the great Gospel ideals in which she believed wholeheartedly. With enthusiasm, of tenacious and generous will, she would never tire. She had a great heart. How many people she reached out with her help and favors! A Burundi proverb says ‘Do good, and you’ll see goodness waiting for you in journey.’ Who knows what a big mountain of goodness she found at the end of her journey!”

“She would challenge us on our poverty, for Catina lived her vow of poverty! It was because of her savings that we were able to build the mission church in Kitemba. Together, we celebrated the 5:30am Christmas Mass, a dawn of hope for that small Christian community.

She would keep the church in order, and she was the first to give witness of a prayerful life through the many hours spent in adoration. When we talked about the chance of being killed, she replied she would like to be buried like the poor of Burundi: a simple blanket would be enough.”

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