Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides)- A cry of grief comes from Katanga, south east Democratic Congo. Bishop Vincent de Paul Kwanga, the new Bishop of Manono, launched the cry in a press statement. According to the local Catholic news agency DIA, Bishop Kwanga said the war still raging in various parts of the country has destroyed all civil and church infrastructures in the region: hospitals, offices, churches, priests houses, convents, seminaries, bishops houses etc.
Besides material damage the war inflicted deep wounds on hearts. Moreover violence against women caused a rise in the number of people suffering from sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS first of all. And the ensuing pandemic has increased the number of orphans out of all proportion.
And infants are also the most affected by food insecurity and malnutrition which affects 15% of the region’s children. In this tragic situation the Bishop denounces a return to pagan practices and even forms of cannibalism.
The local Church was the principal victim of sacking and looting during the war. The Bishop said only 3 of the 15 parishes were spared. Troops of different factions used schools as dormitories sacking them as they left. Consequently the rate of school attendance has fallen to below 30% despite the fact that the diocese has 83 primary schools and 23 secondary schools .
The Bishop of Manono speaks for the people who lack everything, particularly medical care and medicine. Bishop Vincent de Paul Kwanga said the people are anxious to resume activities of fishing and farming to resurrect the economy.
Manono diocese created in 1971 is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Lubumbashi. It is situated in the Katanga region. It has an area of 45,000 sq mt and a population of 296,850 of whom 152,158 are Catholics, gathered in 15 parishes, assisted by 44 priests. 1 woman religious, and there are 9 major seminarians. Bishop Vincent de Paul Kwanga was appointed on 18 March 2005. Previously be was National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Congo . (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 4/10/2005 righe 33 parole 386)
