Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides)- The Catholic Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo has dissociated itself from the choice for the new presidency of the Independent National Election Commission (INIC), made by the platform of country’s religious denominations (see Fides 12/10/2015; 20/10/2015). “During fraternal discussion between representatives of diverse religious Confession there emerged considerable differences regarding important principles to be respected in order to honour such a responsibility entrusted to the religious Confessions” reads a statement by Democratic Congo’s Catholic Bishops’ Conference, sent to Fides.
“The Catholic Church has decided not to take part in a vote which was not agreed and whose results appear to have been decided beforehand”. “As from now the candidate presented by the Religious Confessions is the candidate of seven Confessions without the Catholic Church which did not take part in the election and which herewith takes full responsibility in the face of the country and history” says the statement which concludes entrusting the future of the country to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The choice by 7 religious confessions as successor of Father Apollinaire Malumalu former INIC head, fell on Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, hitherto Electoral Commission assistant executive secretary.
The candidate to the INIC presidency must now be approved by the National Assembly and then officially appointed with a presidential decree. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 22/10/2015)
