The Auxiliary Bishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Pretoria has described South African fallen soldiers as “martyrs who had given their own life in ensuring peace on the continent.”

In an interview with the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) communication office following the repatriation process of the remains of 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Bishop Masilo John Selemela conveyed a “message of condolences to the families for the loss,” and assured prayers to the families, and victims of the conflict in parts of the Eastern DRC.

“My message to the country is that we need to continue praying for our soldiers. These are heroes and heroines who actually have given their lives not only to preventing war but who have put their own lives to ensure that there is peace,” said Bishop Masilo during the Saturday, February 8 interview.

The repatriation of the remains of 14 SANDF soldiers who lost their lives between 23 and 27 January during an attack allegedly by M23 fighters in the eastern DRC is currently underway and is expected to arrive in South Africa on Thursday. During his ninth State Of the Nation Address (SONA), President Cyrill Ramaphosa declared the flags would be flown at half-mast in honor of the fallen soldiers.

In the February 8 interview, Bishop Masilo said parishes across Pretoria Archdiocese – the Military Ordinariate of South Africa – will “celebrate the security Cluster day” on February 22 and that a special memorial mass will also be celebrated in honor of the souls of the 14 fallen soldiers who were part of 16 SANDF soldiers that had been deployed in the DRC as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

“We will continue to encourage our parishes to actively support those in the security cluster, including the military, police, correctional services, and traffic officers who work to maintain safety and peace. Their work fosters harmony and provides confidence in our nation’s security. We will certainly remember them, and a special mass will be celebrated in honor of the repose of their souls,” said Bishop Masilo.

Meanwhile, in a separate message, the newly elected Chairperson of the SACBC Department for Catholic Social Action Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa CMM of Kokstad Diocese extends “deepest condolences to the families, loved ones, and SANDF soldiers.”

“As the Church, we stand in solidarity with the bereaved families, offering our prayers and pastoral support in this time of mourning. We also call upon our nation to remember them with gratitude and to support their families, just as they supported the cause of peace beyond our borders. May their sacrifice inspire us all to work tirelessly for justice, reconciliation, and lasting peace,” said Bishop Mbuyisa CMM.

Pretoria Archdiocese Communication Officer Fr Mathibela Sebothoma contributed to this article