Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bukavu (Fides Service)- “A day to note in the records of the local Church in Kivu” said Rev. Jean Baptiste Ruhangamugabu, Secretary of the Kivu Provincial Assembly of Catholic Bishops (APEKI) with regard to a meeting in Bukavu of about thirty representatives of the six Catholic dioceses Butembo-Beni, Goma, Uvira, Kasongo, Kindu, Bukavu, in north and south Kivu in eastern Democratic Congo to discuss the post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Africa promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 1995. Fr Luigi Lo Stocco of Radio Maria Malkia wa Amani - Bukavu told Fides
“We came together to evaluate the post-synodal Ecclesia in Africa on the tenth anniversary of its promulgation by John Paul II” said Rev. Jean Baptiste Ruhangamugabu. Making a comparison with the country’s difficult political situation Rev. Jean Baptiste Ruhangamugabu said: “It must be said that in the difficult social political of our country the term “evaluate” is used univocally. When politicians evaluate transition they have one schema in mind. Evaluate for them means register failure, establish responsibility and punish the culprits. In the Church it is not so”.
It is therefore a question of looking at the progress made by the Church in south and north Kivu in these 10 years. Until Saturday 14 May the heads of general bursars, school co-ordination, justice and peace and social communications commissions, development offices will discuss the implementation of the teaching of Ecclesia in Africa; communion in the Church and its various structures; commitment of the Church-Family of God in the RDC electoral process.
Rev Jean Baptiste Ruhangamugabu concluded as follows: “Lastly we must remember that we are only workers at the service of the Bishops whose job it is to govern for the good of the Church. This does not mean our work is less important, it demands much patience and tact to discuss, creating a new culture and mindset to help all to follow the synodal dynamics. The path is still long but worth walking. Because it is a path of resurrection and hope, as was the special assembly of Bishops for Africa in 1994”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/5/2005 righe 36 parole 402)
