The Christians of Congo are writing a new page in the history of African Christianity. They refuse to be an accomplice of politics breaking the silence. A Christianity that claims to be prophetic, while remaining for the poor and with the poor.
“The Christians of the Democratic Republic of Congo, led by the Congolese Episcopate, will continue to surprise the world, and Africa in particular, for their explicit and frank political commitment. Never in the history of our African Churches have Christians been so determined to say prophetically “No” to politics for its mortal selfishness,” said Fr. Donald Zagore, Society for African Missions (SMA), Ivorian writer and theologian reflecting on the recent political crises and the commitment of the catholic church in Congo.
Under President Kabila, who has held office since 2001, Congolese bishops have spoken out against the government’s human rights violations and the president’s plan to remove term limits that barred him from re-election. They helped mediate an agreement between the country’s ruling political coalition and opposition leaders, culminating in a December 31st 2016 agreement.
The agreement allowed Kabila to remain in office beyond his mandate but he must step down after an election to be held this year. However, the country’s electoral commission then said an election could not be organised until December 2018. Many of the president’
