President Félix Tshisekedi will visit Nkamba, the holy place of the Kimbanguist Church, on Thursday October 12, 2023. This visit marks a turning point in relations between the Congolese government and one of the most influential local churches.
President Tshisekedi plans to spend around 4 hours in Nkamba, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to attend a double ceremony. On the one hand, it honors the memory of Simon Kimbangu, who died on October 12, 1951 after thirty years of imprisonment. On the other hand, it celebrates the birth of Papa Simon Kimbangu Kiangani, also on October 12 but in 1951.
Papa Simon Kimbangu Kiangani is the son of Papa Dialungana Kiangani Salomon and mother Kiwasisilua. Married to Lumuenedio Sidonie and father of one child, he has held the position of Spiritual Leader and Legal Representative of the Kimbanguist Church since 2001.
Delegations from different regions are already present in Nkamba, testifying to the importance of this event for the Kimbanguist community.
This visit by President Félix Tshisekedi to Nkamba underlines the desire for rapprochement between the Congolese government and the country’s religious institutions. It also testifies to the importance of the Kimbanguist Church in the spiritual and social life of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Kimbanguist Church, founded in 1921 by Simon Kimbangu, has millions of faithful across the country. It plays a crucial role in the lives of many communities, providing spiritual, social and educational support to its members.
President Tshisekedi’s visit to Nkamba is a positive sign for the promotion of religious freedom and interreligious dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It demonstrates the importance of respecting and recognizing the religious diversity of the country, while promoting constructive collaboration between the State and religious institutions for the well-being of the population.
In conclusion, the visit of President Félix Tshisekedi to Nkamba is a major event which marks a new stage in relations between the Congolese government and the Kimbanguist Church. This visit testifies to the importance of religious freedom and interreligious dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as the crucial role played by the Kimbanguist Church in the spiritual and social life of the country.