Church News

After his visits, his rearranged pastoral agenda reminded that he could go to Bobito with his entire delegation. Thus done, the episcopal convoy left Bwamanda at 1:13 p.m. to arrive in Bobito at 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. The Christians of the parish of Sainte Marie de Bobito welcomed him joyfully 2km from the parish. It was this morning of December 3 that HE Mgr José-Bernard LIKOLO, Apostolic Administrator of Molegbe, presided over the Eucharist in the parish church of Sainte Marie during which he administered the sacrament of confirmation to 379 baptized people.

During his speech, the Cardinal recalled that when one arrives on a mission, it is important to know the socio-economic context of the place. The missionary is called to evangelize all the places where men meet to enlighten them with the word of God.

In his speech, the Archbishop of Bangui welcomed the committed participation of all pastoral agents in the Archdiocese of Bangui. After he had presented all his missionary trips within the country, the Cardinal expressed the hope that the congregations would settle in other dioceses that have greater need of missionary workers.

In this new year, we take the opportunity to present to the Archbishop of Bangui our best wishes for endurance to face all the peripheries that await him to bring consolation to the people of God.

Our editorial team joins all the faithful of the Diocese of Kikwit in wishing Monsignor Timothée a happy birthday and our wishes for good health to continue shepherding the people of God who are in Kikwit.

“Let us think of everyone, let us think of the marginalized, of those who are far from the joy of Christmas in these days. Let us think of everyone with the kindness of God. Remember these words: the kindness of God… Let us ask ourselves then, on this Christmas Eve: do I want to let myself be enveloped by the shadow of the Spirit, by the sweetness and gentleness of God, making room for him in my heart, drawing near to his forgiveness, to the Eucharist? And then: for those who are alone and in need, could I be a shadow that restores, a friendship that comforts?”

Since his appointment as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Molegbe, Monsignor José-Bernard Likolo, Bishop of Lisala, set foot for the first time on the soil of Zongo, which is part of the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Molegbe. On a pastoral tour with his Vicar General and his Chancellor, Monsignor José-Bernard made a gesture of courtesy that moved the Archbishop of Bangui, Cardinal Dieudonné Nzapalainga.

In the tradition of the Church, there is the possibility of singing the Calendas (Kalenda) at the beginning of the celebration (like the Exultet on Easter night). It is after this announcement that the Child Jesus is placed in the manger. The church bells can also be rung during this moment. Here is the text of the Church in Latin and French.

In the Church of Bangui in the CAR, particularly in the Cathedral, there is a custom where the faithful propose the theme of the crib. There is not a nativity scene that comes back with the same face every Christmas. This is why this year, the theme adopted by the rector of the Cathedral of Bangui is the mission given that the Archdiocese of Bangui has been deepening this theme for several years.

On November 11, 2023, while the Church was celebrating Saint Martin of Tours, a date that recalls the Patron Saint of Mueka where Monsignor Libère had received his baptism, the Vatican had announced through a CENCO press release the appointment of Father Libère Pwongo as Bishop of Basankusu. This news sparked the joy of more than one. Nothing was long in coming, a few days after the announcement, the date of his consecration was made public.

We live in an era where information travels at a cruising speed. Everyone with a smartphone in hand, the appetite for information, verifiable or not, haunts everyone. It is in this wake that the announcement of the death of Father Pol FEYEN was spread on social networks before an official announcement by his congregation.

From November 30 to December 12, 2023, COP28 is being held in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates while the papal delegation remains until December 6. On behalf of the Church of the DRC, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of SECAM (Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar), and Monsignor Sébastien-Joseph Muyengo, Bishop of Uvira, President of CERN/CENCO (Episcopal Commission for Natural Resources) and Focal Point of REBAC (Congo Basin Ecclesial Network/SCEAM). Cardinal Ambongo joined Dubai on the afternoon of this Thursday after the time difference of the planes.