AFRICA/DR CONGO - “We can be more and better present among our people, Good Shepherds as the Church and the world expects” says Vice president of the Congolese Bishops’ Conference at Mass at the Tomb of St Peter

Rome (Fides Service)- On Friday 27 January at the end of their ad limina visit to Rome a group of Bishops of the Democratic Republic of Congo, celebrated Mass at the Tomb of St Peter before returning to their country and their flocks. In his homily Bishop Tharcisse Tshibangu Tshishiku of Mbujmayi, vice president of the Bishops’ Conference, said “After praying together at the other four great Basilicas of Rome today we are gathered here at the tomb of the Apostle Peter with deep fervour to thank God for this ad limina to the Successor of St Peter”.
“We have lived this ad limina visit in the best of spirits. We have had enlightening and fruitful meetings with the heads of the different Vatican departments and offices” said Bishop Tshishiku. “Our celebration is an act of thanksgiving. But we also ask God to give us more light and spiritual and moral strength to meet the challenges ahead, the pastoral problems and new difficulties appearing on the horizon of our country, of Africa and the whole world”.
“The Lord has always blessed and sustained our Church and he will never abandon us” said Bishop Tshibangu. “He will not abandon us if we turn to him at every moment, and if we are determined not to look back or hesitate in front of responsibilities we must shoulder as Church and society”.
“We leave Rome strengthened in our faith and our convictions, on the basis of pertinent references to the Word of God and certain positions with regard to the role of the Bishop of Rome in the universal Church, on the one hand and on the other the mission of the ordinary Bishop with regard to the particular Church entrusted to his care” the Bishop said. “The saying Ubi Petrus, Ibi Ecclesia is well known. This is the principle of charity and full communion in the Church in her life and doctrine around the Pope and in perfect accord with him. Where as Ubi Episcopus, Ibi Ecclesia particularis diocesan, refers to the life of the diocesan Church which must be built, lived and oriented in deep communion and under the guidance of the Bishop”.
“These times really need new apostles called to face ever more complex situations today and tomorrow. After this ad limina visit we can be more and better present than in the past as the Good Shepherd described in the Gospel of St John. May God fill us with grace. May he bless the universal Church under the guidance of our Pope, Benedict XVI and grant his favours to our local Church Congo” the Bishop concluded. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 30/1/2006 righe 39 parole 488)