Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - A triduum in memory of John Paul II. This is how the archdiocese of Kinshasa, capital Democratic Republic of Congo intends to commemorate Pope John Paul II on the first anniversary of his death.
The triduum, announced by Cardinal Frédéric Etsou-Nzabi-Bamungwabi archbishop of Kinshasa, started yesterday Thursday 30 March and will conclude on Sunday 2 April the date of the Pope’s death. During the triduum special prayers and reflection on the pontificate of John Paul II will be organised in every parish in the archdiocese. Masses on Sunday 2 April will be offered for the late Pope. The Mass in the cathedral for the conclusion of the triduum will be presided by papal nuncio in Kinshasa, archbishop Giovanni D’Aniello.
A special reportage, produced with the collaboration of Cardinal Etsou, on the final days of the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, the funeral, and then the Conclave and election of Benedict XVI will be shown on DR Congo national television this weekend.
“There were strong ties between the Congolese and John Paul II who visited our country twice, in 1980 and in 1985” says Fr Valerian Shango, Bishops’ Conference spokesman. “We have ties with the present Pope too who visited us as Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. On that occasion the future Benedict XVI verified the Congolese rite was in keeping with the canons of the universal Church and could be codified as the “Roman Missal for the Dioceses of Congo” which was then promulgated Pope John Paul II”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 31/3/2006 righe 24 parole 278)
