Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - A strong appeal to politicians to respond to the expectations of the population and a call to end the war in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo are two of the most significant passages of Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, Archbishop of Kinshasa's homily, which he delivered at Mass on Sunday, 5 December, at the stadium of the Martyrs of the Congolese capital.
This is the first Mass celebrated by the newly created Cardinal since returning to the Country from Rome, where he participated in the Consistory of 20 November. The Mass was attended by over 100,000 faithful. Present were the Head of State, Joseph Kabila, and his wife, the Presidents of the two Houses of Parliament, Evariste Boshab and Kengo wa Dondo, and the Prime Minister, Adolphe Munito.
“Power that is not used for the common good is power without a purpose,” said Cardinal Monsengwo. “Power only makes sense if you care for others, the poor and dispossessed.”
The Cardinal then called on the factions fighting in the east of the Country to lay down their weapons: “We invite the people involved in this war to drop their arms and make peace in justice and reconciliation. The Pope asks us to employ all means of national and international laws to put an end the war in the Congo, particularly in the east.”
The Cardinal also expressed his concern at the progressive impoverishment of the population, and nodded to the exploitation of the country's vast natural resources by foreign companies, which does not benefit the majority of Congolese. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 06/12/2010)
