Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides)- “Kinshasa, arise and shine in the light of Christ”. With these words addressed to the faithful, Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo, former Archbishop of Kisangani, was installed as Archbishop of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The solemn Mass was held in Notre Dame de Congo Cathedral on 2 February. Addressing combatants still fighting in the east of the country, the new Archbishop of Kinshasa said: “Stop the conflict, liberate peace at last. Promote a process of reconciliation in the truth”.
Archbishop Monsengwo thanked Pope Benedict XVI for showing his trust by entrusting the archdiocese of Kinshasa to his care.
Thousands of faithful took part as well as 800 priests and fifty bishops of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Congo of which Archbishop Monsengwo is President, besides Bishops from Congo Brazzaville, Burundi, Rwanda and Belgium. The Mass was presided by the apostolic Nuncio to D.R Congo, Archbishop Giovanni d’Aniello. The government was represented by the speaker of Parliament Vital Kamhere, and President Joseph Kabila's sister. Archbishop Monsengwo welcomed the presence of the government delegation which he said revealed the President's intention to develop harmonious Church/State relations.
Archbishop Monsengwo concluded with an affectionate mention of his predecessor, Cardinal Frédérick Etsou-Nzabi-Bamungwabi, who died on 6 January 2007. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 4/2/2008 righe 18 parole 224)
