AFRICA/DR CONGO - Bishops recall Papa Wemba as Ambassador of the Congolese culture

Tuesday, 3 May 2016 bishops  

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - "A committed Catholic Christian who gave witness of the Church spreading the message of the Synod of Bishops for Africa on reconciliation, justice and peace". This is how His Exc. Mgr. Nicolas Djomo, Bishop of Tshumbe and President of the Episcopal Conference of the Democratic Republic of Congo (CENCO), remembers Papa Wemba, born Jules Shungu Wembadio, considered the icon of Congolese music and ambassador of national culture. The singer died in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) on April 24.
In offering condolences to the family "on behalf of CENCO", Mgr. Djomo intends "through this message to reach all those who feel affected by this loss". "In particular - continues the text – my heart goes to the Congolese people who mourn one of its ambassadors of music and culture".
The President of CENCO also emphasizes the Christian commitment of Papa Wemba. "With pride we remember Papa Wemba, in addition to his immense talent and his brilliant musical career. He was a committed Catholic Christian, who brought the testimony of the Church spreading the message of the Synod of Bishops for Africa on reconciliation, justice and peace. He participated, when in 2011, the Album Afrika Tenda Amani ( "Africa for peace" in Swahili) came out, an album produced by Vatican Radio to accompany the publication of the post-synodal Exhortation "Africae Munus". In November 2011, Papa Wemba - remembers Mgr. Djomo - had participated in the concert for the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI in Cotonou in Benin, always in the context of the delivery of the post-synodal Exhortation "Africae Munus", a concert based on its main themes: reconciliation, justice and peace". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 03/05/2016)


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