Vatican prefect calls Congo’s Catholics to deeper faith

July 06, 2012

Continuing his pastoral visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo—a nation whose conflicts have claimed over five million lives since 1995—the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples called the nation’s Catholics to a deeper faith.

“Among the issues to be addressed, I remember in particular the lack of depth of faith on behalf of some Christians, the multiplication of sects, the breakup of the family, the loss of moral and cultural values, poverty, and illiteracy,” said Cardinal Fernando Filoni.

Speaking in the Diocese of Kisantu, which is located in the southwestern part of the nation, Cardinal Filoni added that “the hallmark of Jesus’ disciple is love, which transforms into the service of others. Your love for Christ and the Church needs to be sustained by prayer, by reading the Word of God and the regular celebration of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.”

The nation of 72 million is 53% Catholic.

 

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Further information:

• Cardinal Filoni to the pastoral operators in Kisantu: "strengthen the missionary commitment and continue with courage and in depth the work of evangelization" (Fides)
• Vatican prefect salutes religious in Congo (CWN, 7/4)
• A Silent Genocide (Catholic World Report, 2009)