DRCONGO: The Diocese of Goma Celebrates 100 Years of Evangelisation
A three-day conference to mark 100 years of the evangelisation of Goma Catholic diocese
in the Democratic Republic of Congo, last week in the town of Goma. Among other issues
the participants discussed reconciliation, consecrated life, inter-religious dialogue
and sustainable development. Goma has been the scene of civil conflict since the 1990s.
In 1994 it accommodated millions of Rwandans who fled after the genocide. The conference
was opened by Fr. Bernard Ugeux, a member of the Missionaries of Africa and a professor
of Theology at the University of Toulouse in France. He said reconciliation was important
because many people were hurt by the wars that have taken place in the area. Besides,
he noted, reconciliation heals the heart and unites the people. Responding to those
who insist on justice only, he said justice will not yield good fruits if not accompanied
by reconciliation. The diocese of Goma was created in 1959 by Pope John the 23rd.
Its current Bishop is the Rt. Rev. Theophile Kaboy Ruboneka. It has about two million
inhabitants, 40% of whom are catholic. Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops Conference
of the Democratic Republic of Congo held an emergency meeting last week to discuss
the post-election situation. Last month the country’s electoral commission declared
President Joseph Kabila winner of the presidential election held in November. The
results were disputed by the opposition led by Etienne Tshisekedi. Violence erupted
in different parts of the country. Mr. Kabila was sworn in on December 20th. Tshisekedi
was sworn in also as president three days later by his supporters. In the document
circulated to catholic parishes after the bishop’s meeting, the church leaders called
for an end to violence and for dialogue between the political groupings in the country.
They also called for a review of the results of the election, proposing that it should
be carried out in a specified time limit by an international commission approved by
the government and the opposition. They proposed also that, for the good of the country,
president Kabila could share power with Mr. Tshisekedi. The bishops called upon Catholics
to play an active role in promoting peace and not to take part in violent activities. John
Baptist TUMUSIIME, Vatican Radio/English-Africa