Actualité

Archbishop muteba’s urgent call for unity in DRC on independence day

Mgr Fulgence Muteba, archevêque de Lubumbashi

As the Democratic Republic of Congo marked its 66th year of independence, Mgr Fulgence Muteba Mugalu, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Lubumbashi and President of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), issued a profound call for national reconciliation, genuine forgiveness, and enhanced cohesion within the nation.

During his homily delivered this Tuesday at the Saints-Pierre-et-Paul Cathedral in Lubumbashi, the esteemed prelate cautioned that the country risks jeopardizing its future if it fails to commit unequivocally to a path of enduring peace.

Addressing an assembly of religious leaders, devoted Catholic parishioners, and various dignitaries gathered to commemorate the national holiday, Archbishop Muteba urged all Congolese citizens to view this independence anniversary as a moment for deep introspection concerning the nation’s destiny.

« We must strive to become a country that is both respectable and respected. To overcome our current challenges, we require a collective consensus to forge lasting peace. It is imperative that we forgive one another, reconcile, and strengthen our national cohesion based on the philosophy of living together. Should we neglect this crucial path, there is a significant danger of ultimately losing our nation. We are therefore forewarned, » declared the President of CENCO.

Sustainable peace: the bedrock of Congo’s future

Amidst a backdrop of persistent security challenges, political unrest, and societal divisions, the head of the Congolese Catholic Church underscored the urgent need for a collective awakening. He firmly stated that the greatness of the Democratic Republic of Congo can only be assured if its people prioritize dialogue, mutual forgiveness, and the ceaseless pursuit of the common good.

His message illuminates the critical necessity of transcending existing divisions to build a national consensus capable of solidifying lasting peace and safeguarding the country’s unity.

The philosophy of living together: central to national aspirations

Mgr Fulgence Muteba particularly emphasized the philosophy of living together, identifying it as the indispensable foundation for national cohesion. In his view, no political, economic, or institutional reform can yield sustainable results without embracing this principle of shared existence.