Congo's bishops said a young Catholic was killed at point-blank range and another was shot dead while trying to return home from anti-government protests.

February has been one of the most violent months in the seven years of conflict.

While reiterating that the killings must stop, the bishops warned that the leaders did not know how to make peace, were confused, traumatized and feared peace.

The bishops condemned the "bloody violence" used by government security forces to suppress marches by mostly Catholic protesters on Dec. 31 and Jan. 21

As Syria's war soon enters its eighth year, the conflict is escalating in the country's north, between Turkey and the Kurds, and in the south, between Iran and Israel. 

Political unrest in and around the capital, Kinshasa, is just the latest malady to afflict the Congolese citizens.