On 15 June 2025, the Church beatified Floribert Bwana Chui, a young Congolese layman who gave his life rather than betray his conscience. At only 26 years old, he became a martyr of honesty and justice. His story deserves to be known by Scouts throughout the world. His liturgical feast is celebrated each year on 8 July, the anniversary of his death.
Floribert was born in Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in 1981. His youth unfolded in a region scarred by war, armed violence, poverty, displacement, and instability. For decades, North Kivu has been one of the most troubled regions in Africa, where many young people grow up surrounded by insecurity and conflict. Yet Floribert chose a different path. Through the Community of Sant’Egidio, he received a formation rooted in prayer, friendship, service to the poor, and the search for peace. He dedicated time to street children, supported vulnerable families, and dreamed of a Congo where everyone could “sit around the same table.”
After completing his studies, he became a customs officer responsible for checking the quality of goods entering the country. In 2007, he was confronted with a difficult choice. A shipment of spoiled food was about to cross the border into Congo. Accepting a bribe would have allowed the goods to enter the market and would have brought him considerable personal benefit. Instead, he refused. He knew that the food could endanger the lives of thousands of poor families. For this decision, he was kidnapped, tortured, and killed on 8 July 2007.
What can Scouts learn from Floribert?
First, that integrity matters. The Scout Law is not tested when doing the right thing is easy; it is tested when honesty has a cost. Floribert chose conscience over money and service over personal gain.
Second, that faith and citizenship belong together. The spirituality he learned in Sant’Egidio did not separate him from the world’s problems. On the contrary, it gave him the courage to confront them. His faith led him to defend human life, especially the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable.
Third, that young people can be builders of peace even in difficult circumstances. Floribert did not wait for a better society before acting according to his values. In the midst of violence and corruption, he became a sign of hope.
For Scouts, his life is a powerful reminder that changing the world often begins with one person quietly choosing what is right.
To learn more about Blessed Floribert Bwana Chui:
- Biography on the Community of Sant’Egidio website: Biography on the Community of Sant’Egidio website: Brief Biography of Floribert Bwana Chui
- Short documentary with images and testimonies: A Young Man with a Clean Heart – Images and Testimonies on Floribert Bwana Chui