Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Fides Service) - A group of 17 Missionaries sent by the archdiocese of Kinshasa, capital of Democratic Congo to various African countries and to Belgium are a sign of the communion which exists among Catholic communities in different countries.
The missionaries received their mandate at the end of a special Mass celebrated with numerous local Catholics on 4 September at the parish church of Our Lady of Africa served by a community of Divine Word Missionaries.
During a solemn mass 17 religious received the mission cross from Bishop Dominique Bulamatari, an auxiliary bishop of Kinshasa. Twenty missionaries were gathered around the altar. Also present national director of the PMS Rev. Alphonse Kibwila and Scheut Missionary Fr. Paul Delrue in charge of the local Offices of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith, who thanked missionary congregations for being ever more present for the annual sending of missionaries.
In his homily Bishop Bulamatari thanked the missionary congregations, missionaries and their families many of them poor people who made sacrifices to enable their children to study for the priesthood or religious life. The Bishop encouraged local young people to consider the priestly or religious life.
According to Bishop Bulamatari, Congo is bound to send missionaries abroad because it owes a debt of love to the numerous missionaries who brought the Word of God to the people of Congo.
Here are the names of the Congolese missionaries sent abroad this year: Fr. Leon Ipola, Divine Word Missionary on mission in Kenya; Fr. Célestine Kitoko, St Joseph of Cuneo Institute, sent to Camerun; Comboni missionary Fr. Jerome Anakese, sent to South Africa; Fr. Louis Bunga, of the Blessed Sacrament, on mission in Senegal; Sr. Chantal Bukaka, Bergamo Sisters of the Poor, in missione in Kenya; Sr. Beatrice Ngwaka, Sisters of the Poor of Bergamo on mission in Malawi; Sr. Marie-Andre of the Little Family of Nazareth, on mission in Central African Republic, Sr. Marie-Beatrice of the Little Family of Nazareth, sent to Central African Republic; Sr. Victorine Bambi, Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, on mission in South Africa; Sr. Monique Bimpe Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, on mission in Belgium; Sr. Mireille Bosuku Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary on mission in Mali; Sr. Isabelle Ilunga of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary sent on mission to South Africa Sr. Justine Manyong Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, in mission in South Africa; Sr. Josephine Mavanga of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, on mission in Belgium; Sr. Lucie Mbuyi of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, on mission in South Africa Sr. Josephine Nsimba of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary on mission in Central African Republic; Sr. Agnes Ntumba of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary on mission in Belgium. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 27/9/2005 righe 41 parole 494)
