Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides)-“Losing one's life for others. This is the path which the local Church indicates to the Congolese people as they prepare to celebrate on 30 June, 50 years of independence. What is needed is sincere love for others, the opposite to the present culture of selfishness which renders people prisoners of self and prevents any desire or vision for building up the nation”. This was part of a homily given by Bishop Nicolas Djomo, of the diocese of Tshumbe, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Congo, during a solemn Mass on 21 June to open the 46th Plenary Assembly of the Bishops' Conference.
At the Cathedral of Notre Dame of Congo, on Sunday 20 June, the Bishops concelebrated a Mass during which they prayed for the nation. The Mass was broadcast live on national television. With this Mass, since each Bishop will celebrate the jubilee of independence with his people in his respective diocese, the Bishops wished to unite in blessing the country, the President of the Bishops' Conference explained.
In his homily Bishop Djomo recalled that during the jubilee year it will be opportune to offer prayers of thanks to God for the country, for a sense of belonging to a united nation and for the people's resistance to any form of Balcanisation or division of the territory. “We must also beg God's forgiveness for omissions and opportunities lost ” the President of the Bishops' Conference told those present.
“God remains faithful despite everything, and on His faithfulness the Congolese people found their optimism and their hope for the future of the country. Celebrations for the golden jubilee of independence will be an opportunity to renew our commitment, our trust in God and in ourselves, and our commitment to promoting the common good and national solidarity” Mgr Djomo affirmed.
On 20 June, the Catholic Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo, concluded the celebration of the Year of the Priest. The President of the Bishops' Conference thanked priests for their faithfulness and dedication which led many to sacrifice their life for the good of the people of God. On the same day Catholics in Congo marked the annual World Day for Communications. During Mass in the Cathedral one of the prayers, read by a journalist, was a petition to God to give all Congolese journalists the grace to live and work with truth and patriotism. The journalists present were encouraged to choose a spiritual father to accompany them in the life of faith. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/6/2010)
