*Title: President Félix Tshisekedi goes to Nkamba to strengthen dialogue with the Kimbanguist Church*
President Félix Tshisekedi is about to make a significant trip to Nkamba, the holy place of the Kimbanguist Church, on Thursday October 12, 2023. This visit marks a rapprochement between the power of Kinshasa and one of the most influential local churches from the country.
Scheduled for a duration of 4 hours, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., this visit has an important symbolic meaning. Indeed, it coincides with two major events in the history of the Kimbanguist Church. First of all, the death of Simon Kimbangu on October 12, 1951, after thirty years of imprisonment. Then, the birth of the one whom the Kimbanguists call Papa Simon Kimbangu Kiangani, also on October 12 but in the year 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.
According to several sources, numerous delegations are already on site in Nkamba in preparation for this presidential visit. This demonstrates the importance of this event for the Kimbanguist community, but also the interest of the Head of State in establishing a constructive dialogue with this religious community.
President Tshisekedi’s visit to Nkamba therefore constitutes a significant step to strengthen the links between the Kimbanguist Church and the power in place. This gesture demonstrates the president’s open-mindedness towards the different components of Congolese society and his desire to promote religious and cultural diversity.
This visit also offers an opportunity for dialogue and exchange between the president and the faithful of the Kimbanguiste Church. This is an opportunity for the Head of State to understand the concerns and aspirations of this community, as well as to strengthen mutual trust.
In conclusion, the visit of President Félix Tshisekedi to Nkamba is an important step towards the establishment of a constructive and harmonious dialogue between the power in Kinshasa and the Kimbanguist Church. This approach demonstrates the head of state’s desire to promote religious and cultural diversity, as well as his commitment to all communities in the country.