Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Goma (Agenzia Fides) - "May North Kivu cease to be a province of war, sexual violence, and disgrace, and become the breadbasket of the Congo and the Great Lakes, the breadbasket of Central Africa." This was the hope expressed by Bishop Théophile Kaboy Ruboneka, the new Bishop of Goma (capital of North Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo), during the celebration for his installation, which was held Sunday, April 11, in Pope John Paul II Square. The ritual marked the passage of the pastoral leadership of the diocese from Bishop Emeritus Faustin Ngabu to his successor.
A large government delegation, led by Professor Lumanu Bwana Sefu, Deputy Prime Minister with a delegation of the Interior Ministry, was present at the Mass on behalf of President Joseph Kabila. Also present were elected deputies and senators from the province, in addition to local authorities. Among the bishops present were Archbishop Xavier Maroy of Bukavu, Archbishop Marcel Tapa Utembi of Kisangani, Bishop Melchisedec Siculi Paluku of Butembo, and several others.
In his message, read by Professor Lumanu, the Head of State asked the Church to continue to offer its contribution to the reconstruction and pacification of the country. President Kabila thanked Bishop Emeritus Ngabu and the Catholic Church, for the positive role that it continues to have, despite serious difficulties.
The presidential delegation donated a 4x4 pick-up to Bishop Kaboy Ruboneka, to facilitate his movements in the diocese, which is known for its many mountains.
Bishop Kaboy Ruboneka, who chose as his episcopal motto: "That they may have life and have it to the full," was born in 1941. He was ordained priest in 1972. In 1995, he was appointed Bishop of Kasongo. In April 2009 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Coadjutor Bishop of Goma. He is president of the Bishops' Commission for Pastoral Liturgy.
Last October, the new Bishop of Goma attended the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, during which he highlighted the plight of women in Africa. "Conflicts and wars have led to the transformation of the woman into a victim and an object. Several armed groups have committed wide-scale sexual violence against women as a weapon of war, in flagrant violation of international legal provisions," said Bishop Kaboy Ruboneka, in his speech to the Synod. In Kivu itself, the Catholic Church has repeatedly condemned the use of mass rape as a weapon to terrorize the population and force it to flee (see Fides 8/10/2007 and 29/10/2007). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 13/4/2010)
