AFRICA/D.R. CONGO – The work of the White Fathers to stop violence against women, “offering the support of the Gospel”

AFRICA/D.R. CONGO – The work of the White Fathers to cease violence in opposition to ladies, “providing the assist of the Gospel”

Bakavu (Agenzia Fides) – “In Congolese tradition, violence in opposition to a lady means violence in opposition to one’s mom, as a result of it’s she who offers life and convey up kids. Rapes are deliberate as a struggle tactic by individuals who know the area people effectively. Violence is due to this fact the indelible mark of an infinite struggle. The victims are sometimes kids, the weakest and most susceptible”. Thus stories in an interview to Agenzia Fides Father Bernard Ugeux, a priest of Belgian origin, who belongs to the Congregation of the Missionaries of Africa (additionally referred to as “White Fathers”), talking of the tough situation of Congolese ladies who reside within the jap area of Kivu.
“On this space, instances of violence are systematic”, says Father Bernard and in response to a United Nations report, violence in opposition to ladies exceeds greater than 15 thousand instances in a yr: “these very younger ladies are harmless victims twice – observes the spiritual – after being abused, they’re additionally thought of responsible: rejected by their neighborhood, they continue to be deserted to themselves”.
Father Bernard manages, with a crew of Congolese laity, the “Nyota Heart”, based in 1986 by the Dorotee Sisters and which immediately serves as a college and refuge for 250 ladies aged 11 and over. “They’re largely orphans or deserted by their dad and mom – explains Fr. Ugeux – they arrive from very poor households, have lived on the road and suffered violence and abuse. On the Heart they obtain care and safety. A psychologist ensures listening and assist to assist them overcome trauma and construct a life”.
Then there may be additionally a crew of Congolese animators and lecturers who maintain lessons in literacy, arithmetic, French, intercourse schooling, skilled cooking and slicing and stitching programs. “Many of the younger visitors would not have an id card, not even a beginning certificates – notes the spiritual – now we have due to this fact began a course of to permit them to acquire id paperwork, with out which they can’t develop into unbiased after having obtained a diploma and having realized a career”. However the assist is just not reserved just for ladies: “we additionally need to assist a vocational college for boys who work within the gold mines of Kamituga, within the diocese of Uvira”, explains Father Bernard – yearly 30 younger folks be taught the career of carpenter and on the finish of the yr they obtain a package to begin their very own mission.
The closeness of the Church to the inhabitants is concrete as a result of, says Father Bernard, “it’s a query of being current amongst folks, of listening to them, of being in solidarity with them, of giving them the assist of the Gospel. Daily – he concludes – we attempt to take a small step collectively to get away from the nightmares of the previous and rediscover smiles and hopes for the long run”. (ES) (Agenzia Fides, 28/12/2021)

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