Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Fides Service)- Initiatives organised by the local Church in DR Congo to spread awareness with regard to the referendum on a draft Constitution on Sunday 18 December include a ‘Spreading the Word’ mission started by the Missionaries of Jesus Christ, a Catholic community of women religious in the city of Tembo in the south of the country near the border with Angola.
According to the local Catholic news agency DIA sponsored by the Catholic Bishops of Congo, not many people in Tembo were informed about the draft Constitution. Aware of the situation the Missionary Sisters of Jesus Christ, of Spanish and Congolese origin, decided to launch an information campaign and try to reach as many people as possible before 18 December.
The Sisters reached this decision after a meeting with leading members of CARTEC “co-ordination of activity for a successful transition” set up by the local Church. Sr Annie Mangombo, Sr Odette Nkengia and Sr Laurentine Tshobo were chosen to take a day long course for volunteers willing to be referendum observers and to spread information on the draft Constitution. About 50 people including members of other Christian denominations attended the course on 11 December to learn how to explain a complex document and event in simple words to people who had never been to school. The course was given by Fr Cyril Ikombela.
The priest also outlined the duties of the referendum observer and handed out copies of a “Referendum Observer’s Practical Guide”, produced jointly by the civil society and religious confessions.
Patients and family members, including new mothers and the people visiting them at the hospital run by the Missionaries of Jesus Christ were also given information on the referendum. People even came to the mission asking for information. On returning home the new mothers shared information on the referendum ‘passing the word’ to other family members and neighbours and gradually the news spread all over Tembo. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 16/12/2005 righe 36 parole 409)
