Congolese Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde met with Catholic bishops in Lubumbashi on June 10, 2023. This meeting took place within the framework of the 3rd National Eucharistic Congress, which was held from June 8 to 12. The representative of Pope Francis in the DRC, who was present, led the meeting.
During his meeting with the Catholic bishops, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde stressed the importance of relations between the Congolese State and the Catholic Church. He also encouraged the visits of the Pope’s representative across the country, notably to Kolwezi and Goma.
The Prime Minister exchanged with the Catholic prelates in a very cordial atmosphere. This is an important meeting that highlights the strong ties between Church and State in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The National Eucharistic Congress is organized every forty years in the DRC. The two previous editions took place in 1933 in Kisantu and in 1980 in Kinshasa. This event is therefore an opportunity for the Congolese Catholic community to gather around communion, prayer and reflection.
This meeting between the Prime Minister and the Catholic bishops thus underlines the importance of dialogue between the State and the Church, as well as the need to cultivate harmonious relations for the well-being and stability of the entire country.