By Charles Igwe
Pope Francis has authorized the beatification of Floribert Bwana Chui Bin Kositi, a young customs officer from the Democratic Republic of Congo who was martyred in 2007 for his unwavering stand against corruption.
At just 26 years old, Floribert was employed by the Congolese Control Office (OCC) in Goma, tasked with ensuring the quality and safety of goods. During his tenure, he intercepted a shipment of spoiled rice from Rwanda that posed serious health risks to the public. Despite being offered bribes to allow the contaminated rice into the market, Floribert refused, remaining steadfast in his principles.
When the bribes escalated to threats, Floribert still did not yield. On July 7, 2007, he was abducted by unidentified assailants. His lifeless body was found two days later, showing signs of torture. Pope Francis has recognized his death as an act of martyrdom, killed “in hatred of the faith.”
The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints announced the decree on November 25, 2024, paving the way for Floribert’s beatification during the Jubilee Year 2025. His example, hailed by many, underscores the call to live out Biblical truth in everyday life.
Father Humphrey Tatah Mbuy, a Cameroonian priest and researcher, praised Floribert’s courage, saying, “He challenges us as Africans and as people of conscience to realize that morality does not require a majority. Wrong is wrong, and right is right. His life is a profound example for Christians and all human beings.”
Floribert’s mother, Kamara Ntawiha Gertrude, expressed joy over her son’s recognition by the Church. “He was a boy who loved prayer and lived with integrity,” she said, urging young people to emulate his faithfulness.
The Community of Sant’Egidio, with which Floribert was associated, described his sacrifice as a testament to the “new forms of martyrdom” in societies plagued by corruption. “His silent sacrifice shakes the social and political structures of countries where corruption has become commonplace,” the community said in a statement.
Pope Francis has frequently spoken out against corruption, warning of its destructive impact on individuals and societies. “Whenever we take a bribe or pocket a kickback, we destroy our heart, our personality, and our country,” he said during a 2015 address.
In 2023, while meeting with young Congolese at Kinshasa’s Martyrs Stadium, Pope Francis cited Floribert as a shining example of integrity, noting his prayerful life, commitment to others, and rejection of corruption. Beyond his professional duties, Floribert was dedicated to peace, reconciliation, and aiding street children in his community. A school in a refugee camp in Goma now bears his name, honoring his legacy.
Floribert Bwana joins a distinguished group of Congolese martyrs recognized by the Church, including Isidore Bakandja, Marie-Clementine Anuarite, and Albert Joubert, who was beatified alongside two Italian companions in Uvira.
