Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Fides Service) - The Catholic Church in DR Congo has confirmed its commitment to promote civic education in order to build a society of justice and peace, truth and brotherly love. Cardinal Frédéric Nzambi Bamungwabi Etsou, Archbishop of Kinshasa said this in a Pastoral Letter made public on Sunday January 8.
“The recent referendum on the Constitution demonstrated that the people of Congo wants peace; it wishes to take an active part in building a society founded on justice and peace, on truth and brotherly love; and it wishes to elect its leaders in free, transparent and democratic elections” the Cardinal writes. The Constitutional referendum was held on 18 December 2005 and results, although still partial, indicate that most people voted in favour of the new Constitution (see Fides 21 December 2005).
In preparation for the referendum the local Church played an important part in making sure the people, many of whom are illiterate, were properly informed and able to vote according to conscience. Now the Church intends to continue this service in view of political elections when the Congolese are called to choose their new political leaders. “We need leaders who are honest and incorruptible” Cardinal Etsou writes. “We will spare no effort to make sure the campaign of civic education of all, clergy, religious men and women and the laity, continues at all levels and with even more intensity”.
To give new impulse to the work of CARTEC (a body set up by the Church in Congo to Co-ordinate Efforts for a Successful Transition) the Cardinal says he intends to entrust CARTEC missions in Kinshasa to the diocesan Commission for Justice and Peace.
CARTEC missions are the following: guarantee civic education for clergy, religious and lay people; pay attention to all matters concerning the nation’s process of transition; put the people in a position to vote for political leaders of their choice.
“My dear people - the Cardinal writes - no one can deny the positive and effective role which the Catholic Church in DRC has played and continues to play at this crucial time of transition. The Bishops of Congo on several occasion have spoken in public offering clear and precise guiding principles to all Christians and all men and women of good will”.
The Cardinal then gives some instructions for clergy, religious in the archdiocese of Kinshasa. He reminds them that they are consecrated for the Kingdom of God and cannot be involved in political activity. They should attend all in the civic formation classes offered and in turn to form voters of all ages to vote according to conscience. He says in their relations with political parties and groups “clergy and religious should maintain independence of spirit and watchful neutrality”.
“May the God of love and justice, revealed to us in Jesus Christ who came into the world that humanity might have life in abundance, fill and strengthen with his blessings all the faithful and all men and women of goodwill” Cardinal Etsou concludes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 11/1/2006 righe 41 parole 487)
