Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Fides Service) - A strong position in favour of the country’s transition process has been taken by the Catholic Bishops of Congo. The process began in June 2003 with the formation of an interim national unity government including all of Congo’s political parties and rebel movements, and with the task of preparing general elections in 2005. “In the present context we see transition as the best path for political stability and integral development in Congo” the Bishops write in a message “Brothers, what must we do? (Acts, 2,37) The time for responsibility has come” issued after the 39th plenary assembly of the Congolese Bishops’ Conference in Kinshasa 28 June to 3 July.
“Transition, an irreversible process obtained with enormous sacrifices and the help of the international community, must not be sabotaged in any way” the Bishops write. “Consequently we are strongly opposed to manoeuvres which tend to undermine this stage of our journey to democracy”. The Bishops denounce delays which impede the correct progress of transition: “We deplore disputes among political leaders, delay in forming institutions of transition and one republican army. These delays increase insecurity and multiply the risk of failure for the peace process. Consequences for Congo would be inestimable. This is why we call on the institutions to shoulder their responsibility before God, the nation and history”.
Congo is living a difficult time. In the eastern region of Kivu, a group of soldiers, former rebels of RCD-Goma (Union Congolese for Democracy, a pro-Rwanda guerrilla movement) just integrated into the regular army, staged a rebellion against the central authorities and tried to take the city of Bukavu. Last month, an armed group attempted a coup in Kinshasa the capital (see Fides 11 June 2004). All concerning signs which the Bishops stigmatise as follows: “We condemn violence from whatever side it comes and especially if it aims to take power by force and we condemn all attempts to drag Congo into a third war. Territorial integrity and national sovereignty are not negotiable”.
The Bishops promise to “do everything in our power and within the limits of the Church’s mission to save the process of transition”.
“We call on those who destroy human life and human goods to reason and to convert their heart” - the Bishops write - “A value of the Kingdom of God and a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5,22), peace is an inestimable good and a gift of God which we must respect and treat with responsibility. This applies to the people of Congo and neighbouring peoples”. The Bishop see reason for hope in the way the people of Congo react to aggression: “The reactions provoked by the occupation of Bukavu demonstrated that our people are able to accept humiliation. Apart from attacks on certain international institutions and acts of looting, the Church praises the courage of the people who oppose violation of territorial integrity and the balkanisation of the country. The patience of the people of Congo has its limit”.
“Confident that our people are able to take part in building a society of democracy, we confirm our commitment to guarantee civic and electoral education. We launch to our people this cry which comes from our Bishops’ heart: Let us unite and work for the success of transition and elections!” the Bishops conclude. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 6/7/2004 righe 49 parole 615)
