Goma, 04 June, 2021 / 2:23 pm (ACI Africa).
The Catholic Bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are appealing for support to reach out to thousands of people displaced from Goma, a city in the Eastern region of the country that experienced a volcanic eruption last month.
In their statement obtained by ACI Africa on Friday, June 4, members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) also express condolences to families of about 30 people who reportedly lost their lives following the eruption of Mount Nyirangongo.
“The National Episcopal Conference of Congo shares the suffering of the thousands of men, women and children affected by the volcanic eruption in Goma. At the same time, it presents its condolences to the families affected,” the Catholic Bishops say in their collective statement signed by CENCO President, Archbishop Marcel Utembi Tapa.
Expressing their solidarity with the region covered by the Catholic Diocese of Goma, CENCO members make reference to the excerpt from Hebrews saying, “Let brotherly love remain. Do not forget hospitality, because thanks to it, some people, without knowing it, have welcomed angels.”
They further congratulate Caritas Congo Asbl and Caritas Goma and Bukavu for mobilizing a network of partners and for being engaged in the field in the distribution of food and nonfood items to the affected people who are housed in neighboring Sake.