On the occasion of the 66th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s independence, the metropolitan archbishop of Lubumbashi and president of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), Mgr Fulgence Muteba Mugalu, issued a powerful call for reconciliation, forgiveness and national unity.
During his homily delivered this Tuesday at Saints-Pierre-et-Paul Cathedral in Lubumbashi, the prelate warned that the country risks jeopardising its future if it does not resolutely choose the path of lasting peace.
Standing before religious leaders, Catholic faithful and many guests celebrating the national holiday, Mgr Fulgence Muteba urged Congolese to turn the independence anniversary into a moment of deep reflection on the nation’s destiny.
“We must become a respectable and respected country. To get out of this situation, we need a consensus to build lasting peace, we must forgive each other, reconcile, consolidate our national cohesion based on the philosophy of living together. If we do not take this path, the risk of losing this country is great. We have been warned,” declared the president of CENCO.
Peace as a condition for the Congo’s future
In a context marked by security challenges, political tensions and social fractures, the head of the Congolese Catholic Church emphasised the need for a collective surge. For him, the greatness of the DRC can only be guaranteed if its sons and daughters prioritise dialogue, mutual forgiveness and the constant search for the common good.
His message highlights the urgency of overcoming divisions in order to build a national consensus capable of consolidating lasting peace and preserving the country’s unity.
Living together at the heart of the national project
Mgr Fulgence Muteba particularly insisted on the philosophy of living together, which he considers the indispensable foundation of national cohesion. According to him, no political, economic or institutional reform can produce lasting results without living together.
