The tumultuous relationship between the power in place and the Catholic Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is not new. However, it recently came back into the limelight after President Félix Tshisekedi’s remarks during a bishop’s birthday celebration in Mbuji-Mayi.
The Head of State severely challenged the Catholic Church on its partiality and the positions of certain prelates, denouncing a dangerous trend which could undermine the unity of the Congolese nation. He recalled that the Church must remain in the middle of the village and preach love, unity and equality, and that drift will not be tolerated.
These words provoked a reaction from the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), which stressed that the Church is on the side of the weak and that the power would be misinformed. This difficult relationship between the two institutions is the result of a disagreement on the role of the Church in the political life of the country, and particularly in the electoral process.
Despite the tensions, it is important to emphasize that the Catholic Church has a historic role in the defense of human rights and social justice in the DRC. She played an important role in setting up the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in the 2006 elections and was a key player in the New Year’s Eve Accord that saw the peaceful transfer of power to Felix Tshisekedi in 2019.
Dialogue between the two institutions is therefore essential for stability and peace in the DRC. However, it must be based on mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s affairs.