A message of great concern comes from the Bishops of Belgium today regarding the conflict that is worsening by the day in the Kivu region (Democratic Republic of Congo). The rebels of the March 23 movement (M23) and Alliance Fleuve Congo have occupied Bukavu in recent days, after seizing Goma at the end of January, with a heavy toll of civilian casualties, horrors and violence. The Belgian Bishops express solidarity with their brethren in Goma, Bishop Willy Ngumbi Ngengele and Bishop François-Xavier Maroy of Bukavu, as well as with the faithful and the inhabitants of their dioceses. “We call for respect for international humanitarian law and the territorial integrity of Congo”, the bishops wrote, joining Pope Francis’ call on “local authorities and the international community to make every effort to resolve the conflict through peaceful means”. As already requested by the European Bishops’ Conferences of COMECE in a statement on 12 February, the Belgian bishops too call for “unrestricted humanitarian access to conflict zones and the protection of civilians”. And they assure their support for dialogue initiatives between the Bishops’ Conference and the Protestant Church to put an end to violence and promote peaceful coexistence and social cohesion. “We invite our faithful”, the message concludes, “to pray for the suffering population, and for a just and lasting peace in the countries of the Great Lakes region”.