A pope’s visit to a country is always a moment of joy and proximity in faith. A study of the papal messages during his missionary trips abroad can tell about the importance they put on basic values like love, peace, truth, right conduct and nonviolence in the Name of Jesus. This is the third time that a pope has visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The first to set foot in the country was Pope St. John Paul II who, in 1980 and 1985, made two apostolic visits to the central African country.
The 1985 trip will particularly go down in history for the fact it was during that missionary trip that he beatified one of the most admired figures of the country, Sister Marie-Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta [29 December 1939-1 December 1964].
Sister Nengapeta, who was brutally killed for her loyalty to her religious vows [particularly the one of chastity] for refusing to marry an unscrupulous army officer, will always play an important role in our personal and collective memory as she stands as an example of courage, purity and fidelity to her mission and vocation.
Pope Francis is visiting my home country as I am writing these lines. Those who are following the Church’s news are well aware of the fact that he was supposed to visit the country in July last year. However, his health and knee conditions did not allow him to make the much-anticipated trip to one of the most populous Christian countries in Africa.
Even if it is clear to us that health matters are sometimes [or often] out of our control, one could sense the disappointment that the news of the postponement of his trip had on the population that longed to see him. Furthermore, it was not only about him, but also the closeness that the Universal Church brings along with him wherever he goes.
The pope, whose mobility is affected but who is gifted with an unchanged clarity of mind and a joyful heart, arrived in a country where his visit was very much expected. A look at the images of his arrival, with huge crowds along the 25 kilometres between the airport and the presidential palace, can serve as witness to my words
Friends were disappointed, relatives were left speechless, and the general population was not entirely sure as to when the visit would be put back on the table. However, there too was a conviction that praying for his health was more important than all else, because it is only when one is in good shape that the possibility of a visit could be materialised.
But to hear the announcement that the pope would go to the country in January [January 31 to February 3] of the current year made quite a stir and it was enough to revive the feeling that the country was not “forgotten.” It was gratifying that things were back in motion again.
The pope, whose mobility is affected but who is gifted with an unchanged clarity of mind and a joyful heart, arrived in a country where his visit was very much expected. A look at the images of his arrival, with huge crowds along the 25 kilometres between the airport and the presidential palace, can serve as witness to my words.
But the joyous mood, one of the most vibrant welcomes of his foreign trips, took another turn when the pope spoke to dignitaries at the presidential palace.
The pope condemned “terrible forms of exploitation, unworthy of humanity” in Congo, where vast mineral wealth has fuelled war, displacement and hunger.
Hands off the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Hands off Africa. Stop choking Africa; it is not a mine to be stripped or a terrain to be plundered
Pope Francis
It was a clear message to those in charge to work for what values and dignifies human life. Additionally, his speech was an opportunity to publicly condemn the [in]visible forces “running” the tragedy from behind the scenes.
“Hands off the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Hands off Africa. Stop choking Africa; it is not a mine to be stripped or a terrain to be plundered,” the pope said.
This call to respect life, this vibrant message promoting of justice and peace, this eloquent appeal for a life that is worth living may appear to be just another message on the form, but from deep inside, it tells more about the Holy Father’s belief in the coming of a human society where a new economic colonialism and other forms of exploitation have no reasons to exist at all.
However, this is not only the responsibility of governors or political leaders, but a call for each and every one of us to play his or her role in the building of a sustainable and everlasting peace. When we feel that it is always someone else’s responsibility but not mine, words will eternally remain slogans that are truly disconnected from reality.
One of the ways to achieve true peace was the call to “reconciliation” in his homily during the Holy Mass celebrated in the Zaire Rite. Christ wants to “anoint us with his forgiveness, to give us peace and the courage to forgive others in turn, the courage to grant others a great amnesty of the heart. What great good it does us to cleanse our hearts of anger and remorse, of every trace of resentment and hostility!”, the pope said.
While so many today dismiss the poor, you embrace them; while the world exploits them, you encourage them. Encouragement versus exploitation: Here is a forest that is growing, even as deforestation and waste runs rampant! I would like to make better known what you are doing, to promote growth and hope in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and on this entire continent. I came here out of a desire to be a voice for the voiceless
Pope Francis
Amnesty of heart! This could be the topic of many interesting talks! However, this is possible only when we accept to undertake the inner journey to our own heart in a pilgrimage of love and sincerity in order to find Jesus who lives quietly within us. Isn’t this what we celebrate, especially in the Zaire Rite, which is the Roman Missal for the Dioceses of Zaire.
One of the moving parts of this rite is that the Penitential Rite comes after the homily. It is only when we have heard the message of Jesus that we can meditate on our lives and ask God for forgiveness. Then comes Sign of Peace before the Offertory. When we have made peace with each other, then we can offer our present to the Lord.
All reconciled in Christ is the theme of this apostolic trip and gestures like this will reinforce our desire for a more fraternal human community. To recall the Bible, it is a teaching we can find in the gospels [Matthew 5:24] as well.
To the victims of violence in the eastern part of the country, Pope Francis mentioned his closeness and prayers; to charities, he offered his admiration for their closeness to the marginalised, saying, “While so many today dismiss the poor, you embrace them; while the world exploits them, you encourage them. Encouragement versus exploitation: Here is a forest that is growing, even as deforestation and waste runs rampant! I would like to make better known what you are doing, to promote growth and hope in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and on this entire continent. I came here out of a desire to be a voice for the voiceless.”
He asked the youth to be true signs of hope and to all, not to give in to despair and remain agents of peace and reconciliation.
As a Congolese national, I am happy that the pope was able to make the trip to my native country. The pontiff is a messenger of peace, but not a miracle worker. It is up to all of us to remember the importance of his words and to find ways in working for the reconciliation of all. I will personally treasure the meaning of his trip: words may fly away, but the message has been heard all over the world. SE
Father Dominique Mukonda, CICM
Superior, CICM-HK.
