Vatican City - Pope John Paul condemned Congolese rebels yesterday for having declared the bishop of Bukavu persona non grata and for preventing him from returning to his diocese.
The pontiff, addressing pilgrims and tourists at his weekly general audience, called the action taken against Bishop Emmanuel Kataliko a grave violation of the prelate's personal freedom that "inflicts pain on all Catholics". Rebels who control parts of the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo alleged the bishop was inciting hatred against the Tutsi ethnic group.