Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kisangani (Agenzia Fides) – "Peace has no political or religious color. In order for our peace efforts to succeed, we must support them with prayer. Let us pray together for peace in our hearts, pray for the victims, pray that those who took up arms may be converted to peace, and we pray that the resolutions and recommendations of this conference may bear fruit, "said Archbishop Marcel Utembi Tapa of Kisangani, in his homily at the closing Mass for the conference (see Fides 30/1/2010) of religious leaders on the issue of Ugandan rebels of the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army).
The conference was held February 2 to 4 in Kisangani (capital of the Eastern Province, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo). It was attended by religious leaders of the areas where the LRA is active: northern Uganda, eastern DRC, southern Sudan, and the Central African Republic. In particular, the delegations were composed as follows: 5 representatives of South Sudan, 2 from Uganda, 3 from Central, 8 from the DRC, in addition to the Interior Minister of the Eastern Province, in representation of the provincial government.
Conference participants expressed their appreciation for the initiative and expressed their hope that it will help restore peace in the region. At the end of the sessions, a regional committee was established, composed of 9 members representing the various delegations and responsible for formulating proposals for negotiations with the LRA. In his closing speech, the Archbishop of Kisangani said that religious leaders are ready to mediate in peace negotiations with the guerrilla group if it is asked of them. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 5/2/2010)
