A CATHEDRAL under construction for nearly two decades and nearing completion has collapsed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The foundation stones of St John’s Cathedral in the diocese of Beni were laid in 2006, but the walls were only raised in 2017. The construction was delayed for years by conflict and unrest in the region.

The 2019 Ebola epidemic and the Covid pandemic a year later caused further delays. The roof of the cathedral was only completed in February this year.

But, after heavy rains in July, the building collapsed suddenly on 14 August, with no warning. According to local media reports, people at morning prayer at the site were able to escape and there were no injuries.

The Bishop of Beni, the Rt Revd Cyrille Kambala Tavuirima, has appealed for support. 

“After 20 years of hard work to build this temple, to see it collapse in the blink of an eye, imagine how our hearts are affected,” he told the Anglican Communion News Service.

“After the collapse of this cathedral, the faithful are truly traumatised . . . seeing the efforts and resources invested in this construction, which took almost 19 years, reduced to nothing.”

He appealed for support to rebuild the cathedral. “Due to a lack of financial resources, we are reaching out to all people of good faith to ask for their help,” he said. “We need the prayers of our Anglican brothers and sisters, as we will be going through a difficult period due to the tragedy of the collapse of our cathedral. Please also pray for the restoration of peace in our country in general, particularly in the territory of Beni.”

The DRC has been mired in conflict for 30 years, since the 1994 Rwandan genocide. At least 120 armed groups are fighting for control of mineral-rich areas.