Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Fides Service)- “We call on those responsible to stop all violence” said Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kisangani President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Democratic Congo, calling on the people to remain calm following the latest acts of violence.
The Archbishop made this appeal during a media conference in which he voiced the concern for the social and political situation. Recalling the Bishops Conference statement last February, “Congo belongs to us” (see Fides 8 February 2005), Archbishop Monsengwo Pasinya noted that since then important events have happened: the approval by parliament of a new constitution; a visit by the President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki, to whom the Bishops presented a memorandum on the situation in Congo; Congo President’s address to parliament on the nation’s economic situation on 16 May. But there has also been reaction from the people at times even violent and the situation demands serious examination the Archbishop said, in particular it is necessary to address “violence which appears to be the result of exasperation with general social conditions and impatience with regard the promised better future which never seems to happen”.
In the country there is growing tension because the prospected date of 30th June for political elections has still to be confirmed. The new constitution makes it possible to postpone elections for 12 months. In various parts of Congo there have been episodes of unrest seeing the probable postponement of the June election.
On behalf of the Bishops of Congo the Archbishop offers recommendations to improve the social and political climate. First of all “it is necessary to guarantee calm and peaceful conditions for positive dialogue. The people need to be reassured” said the Archbishop of Kisangani.
Another suggestion made by the Bishops was to allow a period of two months to explain the essential points of the Constitution to the public before the planned referendum on the document.
Archbishop Monsengwo Pasinya concluded his intervention with a call on the people to remain calm, reject violence and respect the law. “For 45 years the last 15 in particular the people of Congo have suffered because of civil war and serious disorder. We on those responsible to cease all violence from whatever side it comes, whether from the police or from the people: acts of violence dishonour the memory of millions of sons and daughters of our country who have been killed and to render their sacrifice useless. Congo is committed to a process of national reconciliation and every citizen must play his or her part”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 28/5/2005 righe 43 parole 500)
