杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

On the fourth and final day of his Apostolic Journey to the DRC, 杏MAP导航 Francis met with the country鈥檚 Bishops at the headquarters of the National Bishops鈥� Conference (CENCO).

In his address, the 杏MAP导航 apologized for making the Bishops prepare twice for his visit, since he was originally scheduled to visit in July 2022.

He also spoke to them about their mission to build up the Congolese people鈥檚 faith and to protect 鈥渢he beauty of Creation鈥� in the vastness of DR Congo鈥檚 verdant forest.

The local Church, he added, also suffers with her people in their trials, as well as rejoicing their joys.

Closeness to God in prayer

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to speak to the Bishops about the 鈥渃loseness of God and prophecy for the people.鈥�

He urged them to find consolation in God鈥檚 closeness, in order to help others 鈥渄raw closer to the Good Shepherd鈥�.

The 杏MAP导航 denounced all trappings of power and self-advancement among the Bishops, saying such attitudes lead them to neglect their relationship with Christ in prayer.

鈥淲hen we cherish our closeness to God,鈥� he said, 鈥渨e feel drawn towards our people and will always feel compassion for those entrusted to our care.鈥�

The pastoral ministry of Bishops must 鈥渢ouch wounds and communicate God鈥檚 closeness鈥�, so that the Congolese people may be lifted from their 鈥渉umiliation and oppression.鈥�

Prophets to root out injustice

The 杏MAP导航 then turned to the theme of prophecy, which the Bishops should embrace so that the word might awaken within them an 鈥渦nbridled restlessness鈥� to lead others to God.

杏MAP导航 Francis said God calls His prophets to help build a new chapter of history in the midst of a world filled with perversity and injustice.

The poisons of hatred, resentment, and violence must be rooted from society, along with corruption and exploitation, he added.

Proclaiming the word, not politics

Yet, said the 杏MAP导航, Christian prophecy should not be confused with political activism, since Bishops are called to 鈥減roclaim the word, awaken consciences, denounce evil, and encourage those who are broken-hearted and lacking hope.鈥�

He invited the Bishops to remain close to their priests and pastoral workers and to set a good example of forgiveness and evangelical simplicity.

Witnesses of mercy in face of violence

In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis urged the Bishops of the Democratic Republic of Congo to look to the example of the late Archbishop Christophe Munzihirwa.

The Jesuit Archbishop was 鈥渁 courageous shepherd and prophetic voice鈥� and was murdered in a city square in 1996 for defending his people.

鈥淏e witnesses,鈥� he said, 鈥渙f mercy and reconciliation amid the violence unleashed not only by the exploitation of resources and by ethnic and tribal conflicts, but also and above all by the dark power of the evil one, the enemy of God and humanity.鈥�