“The secret of a Bishop's fruitfulness is first and foremost his attachment to Christ; human considerations are secondary,” the Congolese Cardinal said, and added, “Make Christ present through your actions and words.”
The Local Ordinary of Kinshasa Archdiocese, who doubles as the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) further said, “When you become a Bishop, your first responsibility is to look after God's flock; it's for the cause of Christ that you become the Bishop of Buta today, not for any other cause. Jesus Christ is your only master.”
A Bishop, he went on to say, is expected to “be a good shepherd, dedicated to the cause of his sheep; a good shepherd who cares for the lives of his sheep ... who is constantly on the lookout for good, green pastures for his flock; he will never abandon his sheep.”
A Bishop as a good shepherd “nourishes the people by proclaiming God's word and celebrating his mysteries,” the Congolese member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap) added.
Pope Francis appointed the Congolese member of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) as Bishop of Buta Diocese on April 15. He had been serving as Regional Vicar of OSA in DRC.
Born in December 1972 in Dungu, Bishop Banga made his perpetual profession in November 2002; he was ordained a Priest in August 2003.
In his July 7 homily, Cardinal Ambongo urged the Bishop-elect “to be a prophet of hope, a joyful messenger of the Gospel, an apostle of justice, and a witness of mercy for the people of God in Buta.”
“Be close to Priests, Consecrated Persons, and all the faithful, for whom you are the guide and shepherd. It's your duty to always be at the head of the flock, showing them the way,” the Cardinal said, and urged the Bishop-elect to “trust in God who has chosen you and who has entrusted you with this heavy task.”
“By sending you to Buta, he is also providing you with all the graces you need to assume this responsibility,” the Condolese Cardinal further said.
To better serve the people of God, Cardinal Ambongo said the new Bishop will have to “collaborate with state authorities. Good collaboration with them will make your ministry more effective in the service of God's people.”
