The third national Eucharistic congress organized by the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) ended on Sunday June 11 in Lubumbashi. The event was marked by a mass celebrated at the TP Mazembe stadium in the presence of thousands of faithful as well as various delegations from the 48 dioceses of the country. The Philippine cardinal and proprefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Luis Antonio Tagle, special envoy of Pope Francis, presided over the ceremony.
During this closing Mass, Monsignor Fulgence Muteba, Metropolitan Archbishop of Lubumbashi, denounced the monopolization of the country’s natural resources by the ruling elite and unscrupulous multinationals, which causes general indifference from the managers of public affairs. facing the misery of the people. He also recalled that the Congolese population was the official owner of these natural resources without benefiting sufficiently from them.
Indeed, despite the many natural resources of the country such as copper, cobalt, diamonds, wood, etc., the population of Congo continues to wallow in misery. This unjust and revolting situation does not despair the Congolese people. He keeps hope for a better tomorrow and is aware that his destiny is in his hands. The Catholic Church, which is the symbol of national unity and cohesion, is the most manifest sign for this people.
The Catholic prelate also warned that anyone who enjoys dividing the country because of his political inclinations will find the Congolese people in his way.
In short, this National Eucharistic Congress was an opportunity for the Catholic Church to denounce the many evils that undermine the country while bringing a message of hope and national cohesion.