Among the 45 were 22 Catholics beatified in 1920 and canonized in 1964 who continue to promote Catholic life in the country; they play an important role in constructing a Catholic identity globally.
Floribert Bwana Chui Bin Kositi is a Congolese Martyr, who was born on 13 June 1981 in the city of Goma. He was reportedly abducted and martyred in the same Congolese city on 8 July 2007 for standing up against corruption.
At a June 16 audience with pilgrims from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who traveled to participate in the Beatification of Bwana Chui at the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls, Pope Leo XIV said the “Congolese layman highlights the precious witness of the Laity and young people.”
During the October 28 forum, which the Community of Sant’Egidio hosted as part of their October 26–28 international meeting on the theme “Daring Peace,” Cardinal Kambanda attributed the growing number of vocations on the continent to the increasing youth population.
He said, “In Rwanda and in many African countries, 70 percent of the population are under the age of 30. With the great number of young people, there are also many vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated life.”
“In 2022, the number of Catholics in Africa was 272 million, and in 2023, it increased to 281 million. The great majority of these are young people,” he said, noting that although this is a “great advantage,” the growing population of young people also presents challenges.
The Cardinal-Priest of Sansisto, who began his Episcopal Ministry in the Catholic Diocese of Kibungo in July 2013 emphasized that the numerical growth of the youth in Africa needs “quality formation to avoid superficiality.”
He said the Church must focus on quality formation, “particularly given the rapidly changing world with globalization and a digital culture that often promotes secularism.
“There is also the challenge of finding adequate infrastructure, large churches enough to accommodate the faithful, Seminaries for Priestly formation, Monasteries and Convents. The infrastructure is still lacking,” he said.
Cardinal Ambongo also reflected on the challenge of conflict in Africa and emphasized the important role of the youth in fostering peace and resolving conflicts across the continent.
