AFRICA/CONGO DR - 50 years of DRC: Bishops organize conference “to understand the past and the present, in order to plan for the future”

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – A celebration with 3 perspectives: retrospective, introspective, and prospective. This is what the Congolese Bishops' Conference (CENC) is planning for the 50th anniversary of independence being celebrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (June 30, 1960).
"Our country is preparing to celebrate its golden jubilee. Celebrating such an anniversary implies three things: the question of where we come from, where we are, and where we're going," says a note from the CENCO, which is organizing the "National Dialogue" dedicated to 50 years of independence, to be held June 9 to 12 at the Catholic University of Congo in Kinshasa.
The three-day conference will be dedicated to retrospectives, current topics, and future prospects.
In explaining the reason for the initiative, the Bishops' note said that "it is necessary, first of all to thank God for blessings received and highlight the achievements of 50 years of independence, but also make, without prevarication, a diagnosis of any deviation, neglect, and error that has undermined the good of the country. All this comes in order to “define what new actions should be adopted and to develop projects in society for a better future for all.”
"It is therefore in this perspective that the CENCO is organizing the colloquium for the 50th anniversary, to gradually rebuild the social fabric that has been so badly damaged. In this way, the Catholic Church, faithful to her specific mission of proclaiming the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ to all men and women, will continue to make its special contribution to this noble task for the overall well-being of the Congolese people," the statement concludes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 06/07/2010)