Goma, 25 May, 2022 / 9:48 pm (ACI Africa).
The Catholic Bishop of Goma Diocese in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has called on the people of God in his Episcopal See to intensify prayers and remain united as the Central African nation prepares for the pastoral visit of Pope Francis.
In a Monday, May 23 statement, Bishop Willy Ngumbi Ngengele urges Catholics to be “merciful and not dwell on the shortcomings we have observed, but to be motivated by the desire to overcome them in order to prepare for the meeting with the Successor of Peter, who is coming as a messenger of peace.”
“I urge you to unite forces more in Christ for an effective communion and participation as we prepare for the Pope’s visit,” Bishop Ngumbi says.
The Burundian-born member of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) adds, “May we find in you our Oneness, without straying from the path of truth and justice, moving forward together towards eternal life.”
Pope Francis is expected to arrive in the capital of DRC, Kinshasa, on July 2 in his two-African-nation pastoral trip that is to see him proceed to South Sudan in an ecumenical trip alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Jim Wallace.