The recent debates of the Estates General of Justice have highlighted a crucial theme: “Freedom of religion in the face of the proliferation of churches”. At the heart of the discussions, the issue of unemployment is singled out as one of the causes favoring the anarchic creation of for-profit churches. This situation has generated a worrying cacophony, highlighted by representatives of various religious communities.
In this context, Archbishop Evariste Ejiba Yamapia, ardent defender of the Revival Church of Congo, expressed the need for the Government to redouble its efforts in terms of job creation in order to curb this ecclesiastical proliferation. He insists on the importance of respecting all laws governing the exercise of religion, avoiding any form of selective treatment that could favor certain faiths to the detriment of others.
To address this situation, Archbishop Yamapia advocates the implementation of legal tools for regulation and sanctions, as well as limiting the number of churches per road axis. He also recommends regular monitoring of places of worship in close collaboration with the various religious denominations.
For his part, Pastor Eric Senga, spokesperson for the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), raises a crucial question: is it justice that is sick or the system itself? He calls for profound reforms at all levels to restore the integrity of the religious sector.
Monsignor Donatien N’shole, representative of the Catholic Church, emphasizes the major challenges encountered in the exercise of worship in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He advocates adequate training for God’s servants in order to prevent the emergence of “charlatan pastors” within society.
These lively exchanges during the Estates General of Justice reveal the urgency of thoroughly rethinking the issue of freedom of religion and seriously regulating the religious landscape in order to preserve the integrity of beliefs and avoid any form of abusive exploitation of the faith of the faithful. Vigilance, transparency and regulation are essential to guarantee a healthy and ethical exercise of worship in a context where faith cannot be instrumentalized for purely lucrative purposes.