The recent debate surrounding the beatification of King Baudouin I has sparked strong reactions, including that of Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa. During his speech at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints at the Vatican, he expressed reservations about rushing this process, highlighting a dark part of the sovereign’s history in connection with Patrice Lumumba, an emblematic figure of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This position raises crucial questions about the need to review historical facts and not to obscure the gray areas of the past.
Cardinal Ambongo calls for a thorough investigation to shed light on the role that King Baudouin I allegedly played in the assassination of Patrice Lumumba. This request for clarification challenges the collective conscience and underlines the importance of dealing rigorously with past events, without taboo or complacency. This is a call for truth, justice and the duty to remember, essential values for building a more just and respectful common future for everyone.
Cardinal Ambongo’s position echoes that of Martin Fayulu, who insists on the need to clarify King Baudouin’s responsibilities in this affair before considering his beatification. He also raises the question of the Catholic Church’s responsibility in painful historical episodes, such as the atrocities committed during the reign of Leopold II. This questioning invites a deep reflection on the links between history, collective memory and spirituality.
Pope Francis, in announcing the launch of the process of Baudouin’s beatification during his trip to Belgium, praised the king’s deep faith and his commitment against abortion. However, the controversy raised by Cardinal Ambongo highlights the complexity of this process and the need to take into account all aspects of a personality’s life before canonizing them. This is a call for caution and rigor, which are essential to ensure the integrity and relevance of beatification procedures.
Ultimately, the debate surrounding the beatification of King Baudouin I raises profound questions about historical memory, collective responsibility, and the need to take into account the complexity of individuals. This controversy invites a broader reflection on the place of history in the construction of collective identity and on the ethical and moral issues that underlie our choices regarding the recognition and valorization of historical figures.