Where is the Outrage?

70 Christians were beheaded by ISIS-aligned militants, but the world is silent.

By Katelyn Livorse

 

News outlets across the country are putting out articles about the major fabric store chain, Joann Fabrics, filing for bankruptcy and closing its doors. Yet, one is hard pressed to find anything about the 70 Christians who were butchered in their own church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Less than two weeks have passed since the grim finding, but the story has been largely absent from the headlines.

 

Stay Silent, They Said

The Allied Democratic Forces, or the ADF, is an Islamist rebel group with ties to the Islamic State (ISIS) and a designated terrorist group by the United States. The organization captured a total of 70 Christians during two separate raids from their homes in the Lubero territory. They Christians were told to “Get out, get out and don’t make any noise” as they were herded into the street.

The captives were taken inside a protestant church in the village of Kasanga, where everyone was tied up and then beheaded with machetes or large knives. Their bodies were left there to be discovered. Some reports have even indicated that the rebels would not allow the Christians to be buried for five days. Neither men, women, nor children were spared.

 

Where is the Outrage?

Few public figures or media outlets have reported on or spoken out against the mass killing.  The Hungarian Secretary of State condemned the massacre on X and called out the world’s silence saying “the world needs to recognize and act against Christian persecution.”

Similarly, on X, Liz Wheeler, an American political commentator suggested a reason behind the world’s silence,

“70 Christian men, women & children were beheaded… because they’re Christian. Their decapitated bodies were left in a church… because they’re Christian. The terrorists who murdered them have ties to ISIS. MSM, where’s your outrage? Are you silent… because they’re Christian?”

Despite America’s close ties to the DRC, our voice continues to remain silent. Although we may never know the exact reasons why, perhaps the media believes stories on Africa don’t hold people’s attention as well as their favorite fabric store closing, it is horrific to see this tragedy left forgotten.

 

“We Don’t Know What to Do or How to Pray”

While 70 percent of the nation is Catholic or protestant, the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to live in fear. Christians are constantly in danger and are mostly abandoned by their country and the world. They lack strong government protection, leaving them open to discrimination and assault by armed groups and prejudiced neighbors.

While it may be difficult for us to much for the Christians in the DRC, OpenDoors, an organization that monitors and raises awareness on Christian persecution worldwide, reminds us that we can always pray. What’s more, they urge us to act by simply hearing and spreading the story of these Christians. Breaking silence when urged not to “make any noise” is a powerful first step towards freedom and peace.

 

 

About the Author

Katelyn Livorse is a marketing fellow at the Institute for Faith and Freedom and the editor-in-chief of Checkpoint News. A junior political science and French major, Katelyn is a member of the AEI Executive Council at Grove City College.

In the summer of 2024, Katelyn interned at The American Spectator as an editorial intern. There, she covered topics ranging from Iraqi politics to the 2024 American Presidential Election. She also interviewed figures in American politics, including Paul Haring who wrote the Hyde Amendment.

Katelyn has also worked as a translator for the Jews of the Somme Project. She worked to translate French documents written during the Nazi occupation of France detailing the persecution of the Jewish population. Upon graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in international relations.

READ MORE BY KATELYN LIVORSE: An American in France: Where are You From? 

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grove City College, the Institute for Faith and Freedom, or their affiliates.

Cover Image: Aqoragye, via Wikimedia Commons (Cropped) License

Published on Friday, February 28. Written by Katelyn Livorse, Editor-in-Chief. Edited by Scott Cross, content editor.