Threats of vandalism and attacks against the Catholic Church of Lubumbashi: Mgr Fulgence Muteba Mugalu calls for the safety of the faithful
In a press release published this Thursday, Monsignor Fulgence Muteba Mugalu, Metropolitan Archbishop of Lubumbashi and Apostolic Administrator of Kamina, denounced threats weighing on the Catholic Church and calls on the competent authorities to guarantee the safety of the faithful.
The message circulating on social networks, which threatens to vandalize the Church’s infrastructure and attack its faithful, has caused great concern among Mgr. Fulgence Muteba and members of the Catholic Church. The prelate strongly condemns such behavior and asks the authorities to take adequate measures to ensure the security of consecrated persons and Church property.
In the current context of uncertainty that the country is going through, Mgr Fulgence Muteba also calls on ecclesiastical personnel to exercise caution and vigilance. He highlights the importance of reporting any act of attack or vandalism observed in the respective institutions.
It should be remembered that Mgr Fulgence Muteba had already been the target of an attempted kidnapping. In a press release dated Saturday February 25, 2023, the Archdiocese of Lubumbashi reported this attempt and denounced the intrusion of a convoy of heavily armed soldiers into the archbishop’s residence. This intrusion provoked strong reactions and called into question the integrity and security of the head of the Catholic Church.
The city of Lubumbashi, located in the southeast of the country, is currently facing a reinforced presence of armed forces and police. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior and Security, Peter Kazadi Kankonde, assured that the intelligence and security services are mobilized to guarantee security during this electoral period in the Katanga region, considered to be the stronghold of the opponent Moïse Katumbi. The latter called for the cancellation of the elections of December 20, and some of his relatives, including national deputy Christian Mwando Simba, are accused of spreading hate messages.
Faced with these political tensions, Mgr Fulgence Muteba insists on the need to ensure the security of the faithful and places of worship. It calls for close cooperation between the Church and relevant authorities to preserve peace and respect for religious rights in the region.
In conclusion, it is crucial to guarantee the security of the faithful and places of worship of the Catholic Church of Lubumbashi in the face of these threats of vandalism and aggression. Cooperation between the Church and the authorities is essential to preserve peace and freedom of worship in the region.