Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - “May transition end in national harmony” is the title of a message issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Democratic Congo on 20 July. In the document signed by Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kisangani and Bishop Tharcisse Tshibangu Tshishiku Mbuji-Mayi, respectively president and vice president of the Bishops’ Conference, the bishops say “once again we wish to call on our people, our political leaders and the international community, to make the coming elections a real opportunity for Democratic Republic of Congo”. The message follows an earlier one issued on 24 June (see Fides 27/6/2006). Presidential and legislative elections in Congo will be held next Sunday 30 July.
After political Transition marked by two wars and numerous conflicts causing countless deaths and growing poverty, “the people of Congo ardently desire these elections, the ordinary path towards legitimacy of power and establishment of a rule of law, promoter of peace, justice, integral and lasting peace.” The Bishops recall what is at stake in these elections “the life or death of the nation” this is why the people want a “truly free, democratic and transparent vote, held in a general spirit of joy, tranquillity and truth and full responsibility and in national unity and harmony”.
It is this spirit and with this enthusiasm that the Catholic Church and other religious confessions in Congo have worked to promote the civic and electoral education of the people. The local Catholic Churched called frequently on Catholics and all men and women of good will to strive for unity, by means of positive dialogue so as to ensure a peaceful vote and a peaceful end to the period of Transition.
“We deplore the incomprehensible delay and hesitation, regrettable double-crossing and inadmissible subterfuge which have so far prevented the nation from walking the path towards elections in peace, understanding and national harmony”, the Message continues underlining that today there are still no conditions for a truly “transparent, free, democratic” vote on the contrary there are troubling signs pointing to “manipulation, irregularities and fraud”. The Bishops then call on those involved in the organisation of the elections to correct irregularities and create at all levels the necessary conditions of “truth, transparency, freedom and full responsibility which must accompany the coming vote”.
The Bishops urge the police forces to be neutral and professionals and they condemn any sort of violence from whatever side it comes, especially “bloody repression of peaceful popular demonstrations”. “With the rule of law, violence and the rule of force can never take the place of law”. The Bishops also call for the presence of national and international observers, to guarantee total transparency and credibility of the electoral process, from the start to the final announcement of the results.
The message ends with a call to the people to make responsible use of their freedom, voting in conscience for men and women of honesty and integrity, capable of governing the country in the context of a globalised and complex world. They say the local Catholic community which accompanied and sustained the people during the long period of Transition now prays that God “may grant the people of Congo the great grace of a truly happy and peaceful ending to the Transition”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 21/7/2006 - righe 46, parole 609).
