AFRICA/DR CONGO – Pope Francis speaks out about the sufferings and hopes of people: ‘Hands off Africa!
Vatican Media
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides – “Hands Off the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Hands Off Africa.” The words of Pope Francis, shortly following his arrival in Kinshasa as a pilgrim of reconciliation & peace, drew a lot of applause from the large crowd that gathered in front of the Palais de la Nacion. It is Tuesday, January 31. There is President Félix Tshisekedi, who in his speech described the suffering, the expectations and the often disappointed potential of the nation. He is accompanied by members of the government, the Diplomatic Corps and Religious Authorities, as well as representatives of civil society, the world of culture, and civil society.
In his first address to the Democratic Republic of the Congo during his visit, the Bishop of Rome sided with Africa. He also points out the new mechanisms that have been put in place to make Africa a “mine to exploit or a land to plundered forever”.
Pope Francis used suggestive metaphors to enhance his speech. According to the Pope, the DRC is like a verdant lungs. It is blessed with a rich and varied nature but plagued by “conflict and forced immigrations” and horrific forms of exploitation. A country that feels like a huge “diaphragm in Africa, hit by violence like an insult to the stomach”, and has for some time seemed to be struggling to breathe. The Pope’s address includes a metaphor that compares the country with a diamond, one of the most prized of the precious minerals found in Congo. The treasure that was turned into wealth over the centuries by others and then exploited by others brought misery to the people of the region. “After the era of political’ colonialism,” the Pope stated, “an equally enslaving ‘economic colonialism’ was in fact unleashed. This country, which has been massively plunder, has not been able to fully benefit from its vast resources. The poison of greed “has stained its diamonds with blood.” This is a tragedy that the economically more advanced world often ignores.
The Pope called for local powers and societies to eliminate all phenomena that hinder coexistence and limit the potential for development. According to the Pope, tribalism leads to “stubbornly promoting one’s own ethnic group or particular interests, thus nurturing spirals of hatred and violence”. Particularly, the religions are called to contribute with their wisdom patrimony to this richness. People who try to force others to follow them, or use deceit and force to do so, can severely wound their consciences and turn their backs upon the true God. Even those holding civil and government offices,” the Pontiff continued. This refers to all forms and types of corruption and abuse. The Pope said that even States, which are nothing but “great confederacys of thieves”, and that they were called to “operate in crystalline clarity”, experiencing the charge they have been charged with as a means to serve society.”
The Bishop of Rome pointed out the country’s spiritual and human resources in his speech. This is to help free it from the drifts that undermine peaceful social coexistence, and diminish the potential of many African countries. The Pope stressed that “the most valuable diamonds of these lands” are the sons or daughters of this nation, and particularly the youth, and that they must be provided with a decent education and upbringing as this “is the path to the future”.
Instead, the reality is that many children are not educated, many are exploited, and many die in the mines. Many girls are also marginalized and have their dignity violated.
Pope Francis concluded his remarks by reminding Congolese that it is possible to start over in hope and not be overwhelmed with adversity. “In the name and honor of Christ, who is God of hope, the God who gives us the strength and ability to start over again,” and “in order of the dignity of the most valuable diamonds of this country, which are its citizens”, starting with children and young people. “I,” the Successor to Peter, concluded that he “stands with you and I support with my prayers and closeness all efforts made to ensure a peaceful, harmonious, and prosperous future for this great nation.” God bless the whole Congolese nation! (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 31/1/2023)
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Source: fides.org
