Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides)- A decision to make a common effort to promote the Catholic Social Doctrine at grass roots level was taken by the Bishops of the Association of Catholic Bishops of Central Africa ACEAC after their ninth plenary assembly in Kinshasa, capital Democratic Congo, from 17 to 20 June (see Fides 21 June 2007). According to the local news agency DIA, the Bishops of Burundi, Rwanda and RDC announced a common effort to form pastoral agents and persons of good will to educate to peace.
The ACEAC Bishops also decided to organise regular meetings to discuss matters of common interest as well as to encourage the participation of women and girls in the process of reconciliation and peace.
At the level of humanitarian aid and development the Bishops reaffirmed the commitment of the Catholic Church in the region to continue the fight against AIDS, poverty and to attend to forgotten crises.
During the plenary ACEAC assessed the work of various commissions, Justice and Peace, Caritas-Development and approved their respective programmes for the next three years.
On 17 June at the opening of their meeting the Bishops commemorated Cardinal Frédérick Etsou-Nzabi-Bamungwabi, late Archbishop of Kinshasa, who died on 6 January this year (see Fides 8 January 2007) and was considered by everyone a great promoter of peace in the region.. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 22/6/2007 righe 28 parole 289)
