Fatshimetrie, July 14, 2024 (AFP) – A recent announcement shook the ecclesiastical sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo: the official exit of the Superior Episcopal Order of Congo (Osec) is scheduled for July 20, 2024. This body, led by Archbishop Leonard Matebwe, aims to regulate and clean up the religious environment, by putting an end to practices contrary to ethics.
In a context marked by the excesses of certain men of God, both in terms of their behavior on social networks and in their interactions with the faithful, Osec positions itself as a bulwark against impunity. Archbishop Matebwe underlines the need to restore order in this sector where cacophony reigns, going so far as to mention the possibility of resorting to judicial authorities to sanction slippages.
As a regulatory body, the Osec will have the power to question religious people in violation of episcopal ethics and direct them to training on religious ethics. The objective is clear: to avoid misconduct and promote healthy exercise of pastoral ministry. The invitation is extended to all men of faith, whatever their confession, to join this order to benefit from suitable supervision.
Alongside this official outing, the ceremony also provides for the ordination of several bishops from various religious denominations. These religious, after having followed advanced training focused on the contextualization of their spiritual life, will be invested with new responsibilities to propagate ethical values within their respective communities.
This Osec initiative is part of a broader approach aimed at restoring the nobility of the religious institution in the DRC. By emphasizing deontology and ethics, it aspires to restore the trust of the faithful and consolidate the essential role that men of God play in society. A new era is therefore opening for the Church in DR Congo, placed under the sign of transparency and morality.