The dismissal of Pastor Dodo Kamba at the head of the Congo Revival Church (ERC) was a significant event in recent religious news. Rev Paul-David Olangi was sworn in as the new President of the ERC at an official ceremony on Saturday 28 October. This decision was taken by the founding fathers of the ERC, including Albert Kakienza, Pascal Mukuna and Ejiba Ya Mampia.
According to Albert Kakienza, one of the reasons for Dodo Kamba’s dismissal was his falsification of the ERC statutes as well as insults uttered against the founding fathers. This led to a loss of confidence on their part and the decision to replace him with Paul-David Olangi. The new president of the ERC called for a consensus among the founding fathers to ensure the proper functioning of the Church.
In his speech, Paul-David Olangi expressed his commitment to leading the Congo Revival Church towards a better future. He stressed that he saw his office as bishop as a means of honoring Jesus Christ and affirmed his desire to spread the gospel throughout the country. He also stressed the importance of preserving the statutory objectives of the ERC and said he would not accept any changes without the consensus of all the founding fathers.
For his part, Reverend Dodo Kamba contests his dismissal and continues to consider himself the legitimate president of the ERC. He questions the legality of the procedure which led to his replacement and asserts that his power was not stripped.
This situation within the Congo Revival Church is the subject of media attention and sparks discussions within the religious community. Further developments in this case will be closely monitored and could have repercussions on the future of the ERC.
In conclusion, the inauguration of Paul-David Olangi as president of the Congo Awakening Church signifies a new chapter in the history of this religious confession. The disputes within the ERC highlight the issues of power and leadership that can arise within religious organizations. The outcome of this matter remains to be seen, but it is clear that the future of the ERC will depend on the ability of the founding fathers to find consensus and maintain the unity of the Church.