Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Fides Service) – The Catholic Church in Democratic Congo is giving a hand to support the national transition process with peace education in basic Church communities to sow a culture of peace in all hearts. According to the Catholic News Agency DIA, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference CENCO has constituted a team of experts CENCO Observers. On the basis of a re-reading of pastoral-social activity in the 1990s the Bishops are convinced that now is the time to address the causes rather than the effects of war.
With this in mind the Bishops decided to invest in root level formation and awareness growth among priests, religious and laity to promote the spread of throughout the country a democratic mindset. This activity consists in formation to the virtues of democracy, re-building of the nation and the promotion of good government.
CENCO Observers group has established a work plan to form more than 47,000 animators all over the country. Animators, men and women, will distribute and illustrate peace education material to Basic Church Communities, parishes. The peace education kits include posters, cartoons, written material and information videos on nation’s transition process from the censure to the referendum on the new Constitution, electoral lists etc.
Democratic Congo is living a time of profound change since the installation of national unity formed on the basis of an agreement reached in Sun City (South Africa) in April 2003. This executive is charged with preparing political and presidential elections for 2005. (Fides Service 15/10/2003 EM lines 28 Words: 297)
