Updated

Congolese civic leaders say that three Roman Catholic priests were kidnapped in eastern Congo.

The three priests were taken captive from their monastery by about 10 gunmen on Saturday night.

Omar Kavota, the Vice President of the North Kivu civil society, said the abductions took place in Beni, north of Goma, in North Kivu province.

The three, indentified as Wasukudi Anselm, 41, Jean Ndulani, 52, and Edmond Kisughu, 53, were tied up and taken away by the armed men, who witnesses say spoke Swahili.

More than a year ago, in the same area, Dr. Paluku Mukongoma, medical director of the General Hospital Oicha, was kidnapped and nothing has been heard of him or of his abductors.