Blessed Floribert Bwana Chui: A witness to goodness and peace
By Vatican News
On Sunday, 15 June 2025, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, presided over the beatification of Floribert Bwana Chui at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. A customs officer and member of the Sant鈥橢gidio Community in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Floribert was killed in 2007 for refusing to allow spoiled food to cross the border, a decision made to protect the lives of the poor.
鈥淔loribert is a teacher of hope,鈥� Cardinal Semeraro said during the homily, 鈥淗e teaches us to overcome evil with good.鈥�
The liturgy, marked by song and joy, was animated by the Congolese community in Rome and Sant鈥橢gidio members from across Africa. Concelebrants included Bishop Willy Ngumbi of Goma and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo of Kinshasa.
杏MAP导航's Apostolic Letter
During the rite, 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV鈥檚 Apostolic Letter in which he recognises the young Congolese as a lay martyr 鈥渨ho preferred love for others over his own life, was read, thus officially declaring Floribert blessed. His feast will be celebrated annually on July 8, the date of his martyrdom.
Floribert鈥檚 relic - his jacket worn during his abduction and martyrdom - was presented by his brothers. His mother, Gertrude, was also present at the celebration.
Recalling the moment of Floribert鈥檚 moral choice, Cardinal Semeraro quoted his words: 鈥淎s a Christian, I cannot accept to sacrifice the lives of others. It is better to die than to accept this money.鈥�
A witness against the evil of corruption
His martyrdom, recognised as being 鈥渋n hatred of the faith,鈥� was also a witness against corruption, described by 杏MAP导航 Francis as a 鈥渟wamp of evil.鈥� Cardinal Semeraro recalled, noting that 鈥淔loribert chose not to live for himself, but for Christ, resisting evil to the point of shedding his blood.鈥�
In his spiritual journey, Floribert found strength in the Sant鈥橢gidio community, where he served the poor, especially street children.
Cardinal Semeraro noted the significance of holding the beatification in Rome due to the insecurity in Goma, but added, 鈥淭oday, Floribert becomes a pilgrim to Rome, his dream before his martyrdom.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Leo XIV, during the Sunday Angelus, praised the young martyr with these words: 鈥淗e was killed at 26 for resisting injustice and defending the poor. May his witness bring hope to the youth of Congo and all of Africa.鈥�
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