Kigali, 03 August, 2025 / 11:19 PM
Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has called on African Catholics to become “messengers and builders of hope,” urging them to work daily for reconciliation, justice, and peace across the continent.
In his homily during the closing Mass of the 20th Plenary Assembly of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), Cardinal Ambongo reminded the people of God that the “fundamental mission of every baptized person is to be ‘messengers and builders of hope.’”
“Christian hope is rooted in a simple conviction: the future has a face—and a desirable one… Hope opens the way to new possibilities. It is intimately linked with the resurrection of Christ,” the Congolese Cardinal said during the Sunday, August 3 Eucharistic celebration that was held at the Marian Shrine of Kibeho in Rwanda.
He acknowledged the painful realities confronting Africa today, including “wars, terrorism, divisions, forced displacement of populations,” yet emphasized that “hope appeared to us as a force for building a new Africa… an Africa of hope.”
Addressing the 13 Cardinals, 100 Archbishops and Bishops, over 200 Priests, many more Religious, and thousands of faithful, Cardinal Ambongo cautioned against the “greed for earthly possessions at the expense of others’ lives,” calling it “nothing short of idolatry.”
Referencing the Gospel parable of the rich fool, he said, “Despite his abundance, this man was truly miserable. For it is not wealth that brings happiness. Happiness lies in the capacity to love and to be loved.”
“Our African countries are immensely rich, yet we are often not happy because we do not seek first the Kingdom of God,” the Local Ordinary of Kinshasa, who doubles as SECAM President, said.
The Congolese member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap) called upon Catholics and people of goodwill to “seek first the Kingdom of Heaven,” describing it as “a Kingdom of love, justice, peace, reconciliation, and fraternity… to be built daily in our communities, societies, and Churches.”
“Our present history is not closed in on itself, but is open to the Kingdom of God. That is why neither despair nor pessimism can be justified when it comes to the future of Africa,” Cardinal Ambongo said.
He urged all Africans to “rise together and build an Africa of hope.”
May the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Africa and Our Lady of Hope, intercede for us. Amen!” Cardinal Ambongo implored.
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