Kivu — The Catholic bishop of Goma in the troubled region of North Kivu escaped unharmed after gunmen opened fire on him Sunday night.

According to the missionary news agency MISNA, the attack took place while Bishop Faustin Ngabu accompanied home his brother-in-law. His brother was seriously injured and taken to the hoispital. The bishop managed to hide until the gunmen fled the scene.

It is unclear if the attack was an act of banditry or if the bishop was the target of the gunmen. North Kivu has for two months been fighting between the regular Congolese forces and militants loyal to the pro-Rwandan dissident general Laurent Nkunda. The fighting has sent thousands of people across the border into neighbouring Uganda.