Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bukavu (Fides Service)- About 20 Bishops from Burundi, Rwanda and Congo were present for the blessing of a new parish church dedicated to St John the Baptist in the southern outlying Cahi Cidasa district of Bukavu.
The Catholic Bishops had come to Bukavu for a meeting to discuss how to rebuild peace and reconciliation held 21 to 25 September at Amani Spirituality Centre in Bukavu. The meeting was organised by the Justice and Peace commission of ACEAC Association of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Central Africa in collaboration with the Justice and Peace Commission of the Conference of the Catholic Bishops of D. Congo.
On the first day 21 September there were three addresses. Bishop Théophile Kaboy of Kasongo who is also Apostolic Administrator of Kindu greeted the participants warmly and explained the “context in which the meeting had been organised”. The meeting was to discuss formation for priests as well as to share information on events in the Great Lakes region.
The auxiliary Bishop of Bukavu François Xavier Maroy addressed the delegations on behalf of Bishop Mbongha Kambale presently in hospital: “Bukavu welcomes you as bishops and brothers”.
Lastly Bishop Augustin Misago of Gikongoro in Rwanda first ACEAC vice president gave the opening address instead of ACEAC President Bishop Nicolas Jomo Vescovo of Tshumbe.
Why was the meeting held? Bishop Kaboy explained: “You come as bishops and heralds of peace. You have come to discuss how to build peace. We all join you our brother bishops of Burundi praise the Lord because your country has taken a step towards peace holding recent democratic elections. However winning an election is one thing, building peace is another”.
At the meeting the ACEAC Bishops commemorated two previous Archbishops of Bukavu whose anniversaries occur at this time Archbishop Emmanuel Kataliko who died unexpectedly while away in Rome on 4 October 2000 and Archbishop Christophe Munzihirwa assassinated 29 October 1997.
The delegates visited diocesan charity centres and Bukavu General Hospital.
The closing Mass was celebrated at Cahi Cidasa parish run by Xaverian Missionaries from the Italian diocese of Parma which serves a population of 60,000 people half of whom are Catholics. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 26/9/2005 righe 41 parole 471)
