Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – May 4-10, 2009, Kinshasa will host the “National Forum of Congolese Christians,” to be attended by 500 people. There are expected to be five delegates from each of the dioceses of the Democratic Republic of Congo, along with representatives from the various other religions, associations, and Christian NGOs, as well as Congolese people living in the diaspora.
The National Bishops' Conference of Congo (CENCO) and Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasa, have already offered their support for the initiative. Fr. Ambroise Mushembe, Secretary of the Bishops' Commission for the Lay Apostolate in CENCO is heading up the Organizational Committee.
The main theme to be discussed is regarding the policy for building lasting peace in the DRC. Among the other themes are healthy governing, creating a competent and honest leadership, the role of the Church in a new democracy, justice, and security.
The main goal for the “National Forum of Congolese Christians” is to prepare Congo for future elections, mainly those set to take place in 2011, also in light of a study that was done in 2007 by the International Research Institute for Peace that said that 80% of Congo's population say they regret how they voted in 2006.
Many of those asked in the study said that their choice was influenced by acts of corruption, whether in money or other means such as pressures from their families, tribes, ethnic group, friends, or even death threats.
In light of the upcoming 2011 elections, a vast campaign of educating citizens will have to be carried out. The National Forum intends to plan the creation of diocesan structures for making voters aware of these problems and thus avoiding the errors of the past. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 19/2/2009)
