Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – “I saw the Holy Father’s address at the Angelus, live on the television. My fellow brethren and I wish to give him our heartfelt thanks for the appeal for peace in Kivu,” one missionary working in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo tells Agenzia Fides (names are withheld for security reasons). Yesterday, October 12, Benedict XVI encouraged all to “pray for reconciliation and peace in some situations that cause alarm and great suffering.” Among these situations is North Kivu, where fighting is currently taking place between the national army and militants led by Laurent Nkunda (see Fides 10/10/2008).
“With this appeal, Pope Benedict XVI has given a voice to those who had been forgotten by the international media, shedding light on an area that is often left in darkness,” the missionary said. “I think that this is yet another demonstration of the strength of the Catholic Church...The one at the top of the vertex hears the cry of the flock entrusted to him, in their suffering, and listens to their needs.”
The missionary, who is now in South Kivu, shows himself to be cautiously hopeful of the future: “Our impression is that no great war will break out. For now, the conflict is contained within North Kivu, where there are surely situations of great suffering (we cannot forget the 1,200,000 refugees), however it does not seem that the conflict will extend outside this area. People are fairly worried, but life goes on.”
“However, I think that it is important that the international community keep its eye on eastern Congo, because if not, we run the risk of creating the circumstances that can lead to a larger conflict (e.g. the distraction of the great powers, other African nations, and the international public opinion). The Holy Father’s appeal is an important step towards peace,” the missionary concluded.
The President of the Commission of the African Union, Jean Ping, said that the AU wishes to intervene in solving the Congolese conflict, along with other countries already working in a mediation effort. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 13/10/2008)
