New Bishops in DR Congo Pledge to Foster Togetherness and Collaboration

Mons. Muzinga noted that “walking together, breaking down limits, breaking anything that might hinder the normal momentum that should bring salvation and spirituality and human salvation, between humans and for humans, for the glory of God should guide us.”

For Catholics and non-Catholics, the Bishop-elect said, “We need to work hand in hand in collaboration. God created us all to be together.” 

“Being created in the image and likeness of God, we need to discover the image of God in everyone, and to know that whoever is in front of me is just like me, and I need to reach out to them and do the things that will bring them good fortune and protect them,” he said.

Mons. Muzinga said that he looked forward to being attentive to others “in a sincere and genuine way.”

Born in March 1970 in Kalemie, Mons. Muzinga was ordained a Priest for the Archdiocese of  Lubumbashi in July 2005.

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The Congolese Cleric who is expected to become the fifth Bishop of Kamina Diocese has previously served as Parish vicar of St. Joseph and director of the Institut Technique Saint François Xavier in Likasi.

Also addressing journalists November 13, Mons. Bope expressed his elation at the appointment by Pope Francis, saying, “It's surprising that the Holy Father would think I could go to the Diocese of Basankusu. I'd never thought of that.”

“It's surprising, but at the same time amazing because when I heard the news, it was as if Christ was saying come and follow me,” the Bishop-elect said.

“If you're baptized, you have to follow Christ,” he said, and added, “I'm going there with great hope and I'm going to find brothers and sisters, men and women, and with them I'm going to try to rekindle hope.”

Mons. Bope expressed gratitude to Bishop Joseph Mokobe Ndjoku for governing the Diocese of Basankus for 22 years, noting that the outgoing prelate’s leadership had been “an enormous achievement.”

“I also want to appreciate all the Priests, religious men and women, catchists, pastoral agents and the people of God. Together we shall work for the development of our Diocese,” he said.

Born in May 1964 in Mweka, Mons. Bope was ordained a Priest for Kinshasa Archdiocese in January 1992 after completing his Priestly studies.

Once ordained Bishop, he will oversee the 77,000 square-kilometer Catholic Diocese that was erected in February 1959, with a population of 200,247 Catholics according to 2020 statistics.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.