Banqui, Republic of Africa
January 23, 2015

Brother Gustave Reyosse, CSSp., along with Catholic medical charity worker, Claudia Priest, have been freed in the Central African Republic (CAR). Both expressed their gratitude to Archbishop Dieudonne Nzapalainga, CSSp., who actively participated in negotiations which led to their release.

The spate of rare kidnappings by Christian fighters comes after the arrest of their commander, Rodrigue Ngaibona.

Central African Republic was hit by unprecedented sectarian violence about a year ago when a Christian militia was formed to combat a Muslim rebel coalition that had taken control of the country.

Yet even amid violence that has left more than 5,000 people dead, attacks have rarely been directed at foreigners, except for those with the French military and the other African armies taking part in the U.N. peacekeeping mission.