Kinshasa, 26 February, 2020 / 3:44 am (ACI Africa).
At the meeting bringing together Bishops at the helm of the Episcopal Conference of the Democratic Republic of Congo (CENCO), closeness to God in prayer was emphasized including the need to be role models in the carrying on the ministry of the apostles of Jesus.
“On this day when we begin our meeting of the Standing Committee to reflect on the pastoral orientations of our Church in DR Congo, we cannot but turn to the Lord,” said CENCO President, Archbishop Marcel Utembi Tapa, during the February 24 opening Mass at the Caritas Congo ASBL centre in the country’s capital, Kinshasa.
“Humanly, left to ourselves, we are incapable of doing a divine work, our power comes from God and it is in prayer and faith that it finds its source,” Archbishop Tapa who is the Local Ordinary of Kisangani Archdiocese said.
The Congolese Prelate encouraged his brother Bishops to foster their servant leadership role in the face of the challenges in their country saying, “In the sad conditions of life of our people, we are called to play our role as apostles. All are looking at us.”
Drawing inspiration from the word of God for the day, the 61-year-old Church leader said, “The story we have just heard is an invitation not to be discouraged in the face of the difficulties we may encounter in our prophetic mission, but rather to strengthen our faith and that of our people.”
