Bukavu (Fides Service ) – Bishop Paul Mambe, Bishop of Kindu and Vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference (CENCO) died suddenly during the night of 26 January 2004, Radio Maria Malkia wa Amani in Bukavu reports to Fides Service. Bishop Mambe had just returned from Bukavu where he went with a group of Bishops to welcome Archbishop Charles Kambale Mbogha, Archbishop of Bukavu, back to his see after a long absence due to ill health.
Bishop Mambe was known for his commitment for peace and reconciliation. In January 2003, thanks to his intervention, a group of Mai Mai warriors agreed to lay down their arms and leave their hiding place in the forest to return to the city. According to a CENCO statement “That was an undeniable sign of long awaited reconciliation and a proof for the world that the return of peace to awaited Democratic Congo is not a dream”.
Bishop Mambe was born in Schopo, diocese of Tshumbe, on 13 April 1929. He was ordained a priest in 1957, and ordained a bishop on 24 June 1979. This year he was to resign as Bishop of Kindu, having reached the age of 75. (L.M.) (Fides Service 27/1/2004, lines 18 words 190)