AFRICA/D. R. CONGO - 45th plenary assembly: Catholic Bishops of Congo discuss among other things, the ministry of the priest

Thursday, 9 July 2009

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Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides)- The situation in the county is concerning, said the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Democratic Republic of Congo , Bishop Nicolas Djomo who is bishop of Tshumbe, during his homily at Mass to open the Conference's 45th plenary assembly.
The gathering, 6 July to July 10, will analyse the social situation in the country, and reflect on the life and the ministry of priests, in keeping with the Year of the Priesthood called by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. The Bishops will also discuss, among other issues, persisting beliefs and practices connected with witchcraft and traditional healing, participation at the Special Synod of Bishops for Africa to be held in October in Rome, and a Message on Tribalism in the consecrated life.
During the assembly the bishops will discuss forms of Church State collaboration with Congo's Minister of justice and Minister of primary and secondary education.
During the meeting the Bishops will speak with Archbishop Simon Ntamwana, Archbishop of Gitega, in Burundi, president of the Association of Bishops' Conferences of Central Africa (ACEAC), which comprises the Catholic Bishops of Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic Congo. Archbishop Ntamwana visited Kinshasa in view of important events to be held in the region. The first event will be Regional Youth Days, 29 July 3 August in Bujumbura, capital of Burundi, involving thousands of young people from Burundi, Rwanda and RDC, with their bishops and priests. Archbishop Ntamwana said the event will be an opportunity to encourage young people to be witnesses of the Gospel, of justice, peace and reconciliation.
The second event will be celebrations for the Jubilee of the Association of Bishops' Conferences of Central Africa which will take place in the capital of Congo Kinshasa, from 30 November to 6 December. On the same occasion the three local Catholic Hierarchies will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their establishment. For the occasion the Catholic University of Kinshasa is organising a study seminar on the autonomy of the Catholic Church in the region, following the establishment in 1959 of the local Hierarchy. (L.M.) )(Agenzia Fides 9/7/2009 righe 27 parole 348)