The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi, attended last Sunday the celebration of the silver jubilee of the bishop of the diocese of Mbuji-Mayi, Bernard Kasanda at the Kashala Bonzola stadium. In front of more than 40,000 people, the Head of State preached unity between the Church and power. This day was also an opportunity for the civil authorities to denounce the practices which would have been established by certain clergy which tend to divide the Congolese people in the run-up to elections.
Indeed, Félix Tshisekedi opposed his opposition to this drift that some members of the Catholic Church would have adopted, even going so far as to remind them of their primary mission: to preach peace and be among the Congolese. However, the President of the Republic encouraged the Jubilee Bishop, Mgr Emmanuel Bernard Kasanda, to continue his evangelization of peace among the Catholic faithful based in Kasai Oriental.
This celebration was also an opportunity for members of the Catholic community to thank the President of the Republic for his paternal concern for the poor, the orphans, the abandoned, supporting the schooling of certain students and protecting them from the wickedness of men. The various speeches were crowned by a special prayer in favor of the President on behalf of the jubilee bishop.
In short, this celebration of the silver jubilee of the bishop of the diocese of Mbuji-Mayi, Bernard Kasanda, was the ideal occasion for the Catholic Church and the authorities to demonstrate their unity. However, this was also an opportunity for the civil authorities to sensitize Congolese opinion on the need to avoid all forms of excesses such as those observed today.