AFRICA/CONGO -Final act of homage for Cardinal Etsou. “A tireless shepherd, a man of simplicity who united his sufferings with those of Christ” says President of Bishops Conference

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - More than 80,000 people attended the funeral in Martyrs Stadium Kinshasa on Sunday 14 January of Cardinal Frédérick Etsou-Nzabi-Bamungwabi, Archbishop of Kinshasa, Democratic Congo, who died on January 6 in a Brussels hospital (see Fides 8 January 2007).
The mass, presided by Bishop Daniel Nlandu, Auxiliary of Kinshasa, was concelebrated by 40 bishops and at least 500 priests. Cameroonian Cardinal Christian Tumi Archbishop of Doula Cameroon who represented Pope Benedict XVI, was accompanied by Cardinal Bernard Agré, emeritus Archbishop of Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire and Tanzanian Cardinal Polycarpe Pengo, Archbishop of Dar - Es- Salaam. A message from the Catholic Bishops of Congo was read out by the Conference president Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kisangani who said among other things “Uniting his sufferings with those of Christ Cardinal Etsou underwent interior purification acquiring merits for himself and for the salvation of his people”. He described the deceased Cardinal as a tireless shepherd, a man of simplicity, humility, gentleness and keen sensitivity. “An expert in social sciences, Cardinal Etsou was keenly aware of the material as well as the spiritual needs of his people” said Archbishop Monsengwo who concluded: “Cardinal Etsou proclaimed the truth with sincere charity and impartiality, demonstrating great ability for discernment and proven wisdom. He will be remembered as a man with his hand on his heart, a man of hospitality. In recent years with exemplary African and Christian hospitality he had welcomed two retired bishops to live at his Bishops Residence”. Another Requiem Mass was celebrated on Monday 15 January in Kinshasa Cathedral where Cardinal Etsou was buried. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 16/1/2007 righe 35 parole 371)