Fatshimetrie: Religious celebrations and new constructions that mark the evolution of the community in Kinshasa
Last Sunday, the parish of Saint Benoît, in the heart of the commune of Lemba in Kinshasa, celebrated its silver jubilee with fervor. An event made even more memorable by the appeal launched by Bishop Fridolin Ambongo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa, inviting the faithful to mutual collaboration to build the church and look to the future.
In a speech imbued with spirituality, Bishop Ambongo stressed the importance of the presence of each person in the construction of the church, an invitation to draw inspiration from the story of the multiplication of the apostles’ loaves. He recalled that in a synodal church, like theirs, each individual has a role to play and skills to bring to contribute to the divine work.
On the same day in Ngaliema, in the western commune of Kinshasa, the parish of Saint Christophe saw the laying of the foundation stone of a modern rectory for religious. During the Eucharistic celebration in honor of the patron saint of the parish, Bishop Édouard Isango, auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Kinshasa, praised the commitment and unity of the faithful in the construction of this structure, emphasizing the importance of solidarity within the religious community.
The bishop urged the faithful to unity and to show kindness towards their neighbor, citing the teachings of the Gospel on compassion and sharing. He recalled the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves by Jesus as an example of generosity and solidarity towards others.
The new rectory, which will replace the old one dating from 1959, promises to be a place of meeting and meditation for religious. With its two levels, its chapel, its rooms for visitors, its refectory and its community spaces, it embodies the commitment of the parish to create an environment conducive to prayer and fraternity.
These events testify to the vitality of the religious community in Kinshasa, its commitment to building a space for worship and community life. They reaffirm the need for active collaboration and mutual solidarity to build a solid and inspiring future for all its members. Through these initiatives, the community continues to strengthen itself and radiate values of mutual aid and sharing, making its places of worship spaces of communion and peace.