On the occasion of the 66th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s independence, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Lubumbashi and President of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), Mgr Fulgence Muteba Mugalu, has issued a solemn call for forgiveness and national unity.
During a sermon delivered at the Saints-Pierre-et-Paul Cathedral in Lubumbashi, the prelate cautioned that the nation risks compromising its survival if it does not firmly commit to a path of sustainable peace.
Addressing a gathering of religious figures and the faithful, Mgr Fulgence Muteba urged the Congolese people to treat this anniversary as a moment for profound reflection on the country’s destiny.
A collective consensus for a respected nation
“We must transform into a country that is both respectable and respected,” stated the CENCO president. He emphasized that recovery depends on a shared consensus to establish lasting peace through mutual forgiveness and the consolidation of national cohesion based on the principle of living together. “If we fail to take this route, there is a significant danger that we might lose this country entirely. We have been warned,” he added.
Peace as the cornerstone of the future
In a period defined by significant security hurdles and social fragmentation, the head of the Congolese Catholic Church called for a collective awakening. He argued that the greatness of the RDC can only be secured if its citizens prioritize dialogue and the pursuit of the common good over individual or partisan interests.
His message underscores the immediate need to bridge divides to forge a national agreement capable of maintaining the country’s integrity. Mgr Fulgence Muteba highlighted that the philosophy of “living together” is the essential foundation for any successful political or economic reform, as no institutional change can yield lasting results without social harmony.