** Celebration of the ascent in Mbandaka: a message of peace and community commitment **
On May 1, 2025, the Saint Martyrs parish of Uganda in Mbandaka, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), celebrated the feast of the ascent of Jesus Christ, a striking event for the faithful and the local community. This moment of meditation and prayer, reported by the ACP, has a particular meaning in a context where the social and spiritual fabric can sometimes be put to the test.
The vicar of the parish, Father Hilaire Ndjondo, recalled the importance of love, forgiveness and the duty to announce the good news. His message aims to be a call for individual and collective commitment, encouraging parishioners to become “witnesses” and to participate actively in the life of their community. In this context, it is interesting to explore the implications of these ideas both spiritually and socially.
On the one hand, the notion of “witness” mentioned by the abbot is reflected in a duty of inclusion and solidarity. In a country where economic and social challenges are persistent, such as poverty and local conflicts, the promotion of love and forgiveness can be perceived as an invitation to build bridges. These values, when brought to the community scale, can promote dialogue and peaceful cohabitation between groups often disagreement.
On the other hand, the notion of sacrifice and responsibility mentioned in religious discourse could arouse questions about how these principles are applied in the daily life of the Congolese. In a country where inequalities are glaring and where resources are sometimes poorly distributed, the question arises: how can the faithful really put these teachings into practice in a context of survival? Indeed, the ideals of charity and good works, although laudable, can collide with the harsh economic reality with which many Congolese are confronted.
The feast of the Ascension can also be interpreted as a moment of reflection on the meaning of religious engagement in the public sphere. While the Church has traditionally played a role of social stabilizer, how can it strengthen its links with the contemporary challenges that the DRC must overcome? What roles can the religious authorities play in civic education, the promotion of peace and the protection of human rights?
On the practical level, it would be beneficial to see religious communities generate more concrete initiatives, such as mutual aid programs or community projects which make it possible to translate religious principles into tangible actions. This could not only strengthen the link between the faithful, but also contribute to social cohesion in Mbandaka and other regions of the country.
In conclusion, the celebration of the ascent in Mbandaka is not limited to a spiritual moment, but it constitutes an opportunity to renew the commitments towards the community and to reflect on the challenges that persist. Vicar’s call to be “fighters in faith” can be a powerful engine of change, provided that it is accompanied by concrete actions aimed at raising the difficulties encountered by the Congolese on a daily basis. The discussions that emanate could shed light on innovative paths for a religious presence truly at the service of development and social harmony in a country rich in its diversities and its challenges.