Congo rebels hold 18 missionaries

Eighteen Italian missionaries and three nuns are being held as hostages by the Congolese rebel leader, Gaston Soumaliot, in Uvira, according to information mother house at Parma, t It e Xavierian Institute.
The report said that Bishop Danilo Catarzi of Uvira was taken by the rebel forces to Uzumburo to foster negotiations between the central Congolese authorities and the rebels.
Christophe Gbenye. leader of the Congolese National Movement, said at a mass meeting of his followers last week that nobody should believe the Congolese people would declare war against the Catholic Church. "We are all believers," he said. "We only ask the priests not to provoke us. Priests must not have a nationality,"