The third national Eucharistic congress organized by the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), was closed this Sunday, June 11 in Lubumbashi. This mass was celebrated at the TP Mazembe stadium in the municipality of Kamalondo by the Pope’s special envoy, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. The denunciation of the lifestyle gap between politicians and the population dominated the speech of the Catholic prelate Bishop Fulgence Muteba.
Indeed, Bishop Fulgence Muteba lamented that the country’s immense wealth, including copper, cobalt, diamonds, timber and customs revenue only benefit a ruling elite and unscrupulous multinationals. While the Congolese population to which these riches belong languishes in misery. He added that it is thanks to the Christian faith that these people firmly believe in a better tomorrow.
In addition, the prelate urged the Congolese to unity and national cohesion. He underlined the important role of the Catholic Church, to which the majority of the Congolese people claim to belong, in promoting the unity of the country. This cooperation is all the more important as the string pullers attempt to divide the nation to serve their political interests.
It is clear that the natural wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo does not sufficiently benefit the population. The fight against poverty and social injustice must be a priority for the authorities. This denunciation of economic and social inequalities is a public manifestation of opposition to social inequalities as well as a call for national unity. The population must be aware that its destiny is in its hands, so it must defend unity and resist against those who try to divide it.
The Third National Eucharistic Congress was an opportunity to recall that the Catholic Church has a major role to play in the DRC to promote solidarity and social cohesion and that national wealth must benefit all Congolese.