AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - “I am grateful to the Pope for this act of confidence in me” the newly appointed Bishop of Bokungu-Ikela in Congo told Fides

Rome (Fides Service)-“I am deeply moved by my appointment as Bishop of the diocese of Bokungu-Ikela” Capuchin Father Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Vice-Provincial of his religious Order in Democratic Congo told Fides. I am grateful for the Pope’s confidence in me and I ask the Lord to assist me in the service with which I have been entrusted”.
Speaking as Vice-Provincial of the Capuchins in Congo, a position from which he will resign, the Bishop elect, aged 44, told Fides about the activity of this religious order in Congo. “The Capuchin province includes both Democratic Congo and the Republic of Congo. It was the Capuchins who evangelised Molegbe diocese in the north of Equator Province. Today the Order serves 11 parishes, two in Kinshasa, and one in Pointe Noire the Republic of Congo. The province’s seminary for philosophy and theology is also in Kinshasa”.
“At the beginning of their work in evangelisation in Congo the Capuchins main task was to help the Church take root and grow. Later, around 1960, they began to present the figure of Saint Francis and Franciscan spirituality as a model of Christian life” the Bishop elect told Fides.
“It has always been important for the Capuchins to encourage lay people to take an active part in the Church and in effect we have many local lay Catholics in the Franciscan Tertiary Order. This is very encouraging for us because the collaboration of well-prepared lay people is necessary for the apostolate. In my diocese for example there are 24 priests who have charge of a vast area 42,000 sq. km. and catechists are essential for pastoral work in remote villages” the Capuchin vice provincial told Fides.
With regard to the general situation in the country Democratic Congo the Bishop elect said “The local Church and with it the Capuchins, is busy organising education to democracy in view of general elections next year. And programmes of civic education promoted by the local Church are well attended. The courses are given by lay persons with the support of the clergy”.
When asked about challenges in the work of evangelisation, Bishop elect Ambongo Besungu said: “The proliferation of new religious sects is major problem for the Church in Congo as in other parts of Africa, because they have at their disposal large economic means and the message they present is alluring”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/11/2004 righe 38 parole 450)