Catholic Bishop in DR Congo Faults Legislators Demanding Increased Pay over Teachers

Butembo-Beni, 14 December, 2023 / 5:32 PM

Bishop Melchisedec Sikuli Paluku of the Catholic Diocese of Butembo-Beni in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has faulted legislators in the country who are demanding an increase in their allowances and salaries instead of pleading for a better pay for teachers who he says are underpaid.

In his homily during the opening Mass of the training year for Catechists, Bishop Paluku said politicians “must know that the mission of representing the people is not an opportunity to enrich themselves.”

“Politics today has become a place for enriching oneself. Provincial MPs complain, for example, that their allowances are insignificant. Sometimes those from Kinshasa too. Yet it's the State's money,” the Congolese Catholic Bishop said during the Eucharistic celebration at Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral of Butembo-Beni Diocese.

He posed, “What consideration do they have for demanding colossal salaries instead of pleading for teachers, for example, who are responsible for educating our children?”

“If you compare a teacher to a member of parliament, who is more important than the other?” Bishop Paluku further queried.

For the Bishop of Butembo-Beni, “It is time for the Congolese people, especially the politically ambitious, to have a sense of patriotism by always working for the interests of all in order to develop the country.”

“Congo belongs to all of us. Everyone should make a better living from their work,” he said.

Bishop Paluku added, “People need to wake up. Knowing where we are going, we must live with joy and hope. Because we still have time to wake up from our slumber.”

Since the start of the electoral process in DRC, the Congolese Bishop has been vocal about the choice of candidates for the December 20 general elections.

At the start of political campaigns on November 19, Bishop Paluku cautioned the electorate against irresponsible political candidates, and urged them to elect those who have the best interests of the people at heart.