Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - In a conversation with Fides recently appointed Bishops from Congo, in Rome to take part in the Study Seminar organised by the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples , said that their Church is very active in the pastoral field, in supporting the peace process and promoting the dignity of every human person. “Elections in 2005 are the real challenge facing our country” the Bishops told Fides. After years of war the country is living a transition process which should serve to prepare the country for free elections which it is hoped will bring peace at last. “Realising the importance of the event the local Church has launched a programme of educaiton to democracy to help the people understand how an election works. Courses of formation are organised in parishes in every dioceses involving also lay Church movements” the bishops told Fides.
The Bishops are aware of the laity’s important mission in the Church. “We are aware of the necessity to form a laity which is mature and can make an important contribution to the Church and to society. We have Catholic candidates for the elections who are extremely well prepared from the spiritual and human point of view” the Bishops said.
In many years of war when whole areas of the country escaped the control of the central government the Church was the only uniting institution in the country. “We have always worked for peace, reciprocal respect and national unity, understood as unity among all Congolese without egoism regarding neighbouring countries” the Bishops said. “Congo is a magnificent country with many different ethnic groups: many thought that civil war would leave Congo in pieces but it did not. The people of Congo are and want to stay united. The world fails to see that we are an example for other countries prey to division and deep lying hatred”.
The Church is the most respected institution in the country. “Also during the time of President Mobutu, the Church was often the only institution autonomous of presidential power. This is why Mobutu encouraged new religious sects granting them juridical status and material means. Still today sects continue to spread in Congo. They have means of communications, radio and television and are funded from abroad. The Church realises the need to provide sound formation for the laity to help them distinguish between Catholic doctrine and the ideology of the sects” the Bishops told Fides.
“On the level of interreligious relations we are on good terms with the Muslim community in Congo. Islam reached Congo with traders and it is generally tolerant. Although there are still some Senegalese traders who try to proselytise but the Congolese seem to have no desire to become Muslims despite material advantages offered to those who convert. With funds from north Africa new mosques have been built and charity works started. In these cases we note the presence of fundamentalist preachers but so far there have been no signs of Muslim extremism in Congo, except for perhaps some isolated fringe”.
With regard to the Study Seminar the Bishops said they were “particularly happy to be here and to share with other Bishops the joys and troubles of the Bishop’s mission. This is important for us because we are all only recently appointed”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 9/9/2004 righe 49 parole 614)
