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Archbishop Ettore Balestrero addressing journalists after a farewell audience with President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi. Credit: Presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

“Five beautiful, intense years in Kinshasa”: Outgoing Apostolic Nuncio in DR Congo

Jul 16, 2023

Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, who is leaving the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after a five-year diplomatic service among the Congolese people has described as “beautiful and intense” his stay in the Central African nation.

Late Chérubin Okende, the spokesman of Together for the Republic, one of the main opposition parties in the DRC. Credit: Together for the Republic Party

Catholic Bishops in DR Congo “strongly condemn” Murder of Opposition Party Spokesman

Jul 15, 2023

Catholic Bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have “strongly condemned” the murder in “unclear circumstances” of Chérubin Okende, the spokesman of Together for the Republic, one of the main opposition parties in the Central African nation.

Members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) with President Félix Tshisekedi. Credit: Presidency of the Republic of DRC

Archbishop in DR Congo Faults President, Underscores Neutrality of Catholic Church

Jun 29, 2023

Archbishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu of Lubumbashi Archdiocese in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has faulted the President of the Central African nation for describing the Catholic Church as partisan and divisive. 

Members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) at the conclusion of the third National Eucharistic Congress. Credit: CENCO

Catholic Bishops in DR Congo Encourage “strong sense of Eucharistic worship, devotion”

Jun 28, 2023

Catholic Bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are encouraging the people of God in the Central African nation to develop a “strong sense” of worship and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

Members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO). Credit: CENCO

Prioritize Candidates’ “competence, moral integrity”: Bishops in DR Congo to Electorate

Jun 25, 2023

Catholic Bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are calling on the country’s electorate to prioritize the “competence and moral integrity” of political candidates they are to elect during the December general elections.

Members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO). Credit: CENCO

Protracted Violence, Emergence of New Militia among DR Congo Catholic Bishops’ Concerns

Jun 24, 2023

Persistent violence in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the emergence of new groups of militia are key concerns of Catholic Bishops in the Central African nation. 

Mons. Donatien Nshole, reading the message of members of the National Episcopla Conference of Congo (CENCO). Credit: CENCO

“Despicable, violent”: Catholic Bishops in DR Congo on Crackdown on Protesters

May 23, 2023

The reported use of force on peaceful protesters demanding better living conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has caught the attention of Catholic Bishops who have described the May 20 police excesses as “despicable and violent”.

The headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in DRC. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Transparency in Funding among Electoral Reforms Church Leaders in DRC Want Implemented

May 19, 2023

Transparency in the disbursement of funds is one of the electoral reforms that church leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) want implemented ahead of general elections scheduled to take place in December this year.

The headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in DRC. Credit: Courtesy Photo

DRC’s Catholic Bishops Want “independent body with experienced” to Audit Voter Register

May 13, 2023

Catholic Bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are calling on the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) to seek the expertise of “an independent body with experience” alongside “a few national experts” to audit the country’s voter register.

Deadly floods that hit DR Congo's South Kivu Province destroyed homes and left hundred dead. Credit: Caritas Congo ASBL

Catholic Bishops in DR Congo Express “fraternal closeness” with Victims of Deadly Floods

May 9, 2023

Catholic Bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have expressed their “fraternal closeness and solidarity” with victims of deadly floods and landslides that have reportedly resulted in the death of hundreds of people in the country’s South Kivu Province.

The fire incident at Mwanga High School. Credit: CENCO

Catholic Bishops in DRC in Solidarity with Sisters after Fire Injures Dozens of Students

Apr 26, 2023

Catholic Bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have expressed solidarity with Notre Dame Sisters after a school they run in the country was razed down, leaving one student dead and 132 others seriously injured.

Archbishop Marcel Utembi Tapa of Kisangani Archdiocese and President of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO). Credit: Vatican Media

Increased Firearms Circulation in Congolese Catholic Archdiocese Worries Local Ordinary

Apr 11, 2023

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has noted with concern the increased circulation of firearms in the headquarters of his jurisdiction, a situation that he says spells doom for the region he shepherds.

Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral of Lubumbashi Archdiocese. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Catholic Bishops Condemn Military Invasion of DR Congo’s Lubumbashi Cathedral

Mar 10, 2023

Catholic Bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have condemned the military invasion of the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral and the Catholic Archbishop’s residence in the country’s Lubumbashi Archdiocese.

Members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) with Pope Francis at the Headquarters of CENCO in Kinshasa 03 February 2023. Credit: Vatican Media

“Unforgettable days spent with us”: Catholic Bishops in DR Congo Thank Pope Francis

Feb 3, 2023

The President of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) has, on behalf of the Catholic Bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), thanked Pope Francis for the “unforgettable days” the Holy Father spent with the people of God in the country during his four-day Apostolic visit that concluded Friday, February 3. 

Archbishop Ettore Balestrero during the January 12 press conference. Credit: CENCO

Papal Visit to DR Congo to Show “friendship, solidarity, closeness of universal Church”

Jan 12, 2023

The planned Papal visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) set to begin at the end of this month is an opportunity for Pope Francis to show his “friendship, solidarity, and closeness” with the people of God in the Central African nation, the Apostolic Nuncio in the country has said.

The death toll from floods caused by torrential rains in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital Kinshasa has risen to 141. Credit: Diocese of Kigezi

Catholic Bishops in DR Congo Plead with Government to Address Flooding as Over 140 Die

Dec 15, 2022

Members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) are appealing to the Congolese government to address the causes of flooding in the country after over 140 people were reportedly left dead when floods and mudslides hit the country’s capital, Kinshasa.

Some members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO). Credit: CENCO

Catholic Bishops in DR Congo Decry “deterioration of security”, Call for Collective Action

Nov 11, 2022

Catholic Bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have expressed concern about insecurity in the Central African nation and are calling for collective action to restore peace.

Mons. Donatien Nshole, reading the message of members of the National Episcopla Conference of Congo (CENCO) on July 27 in Accra, Ghana. Credit: ACI Africa

Catholic Bishops in DR Congo “strongly condemn” Violent Protests against UN Peacekeepers

Jul 27, 2022

Catholic Bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have “strongly” condemned the recent protests targeting the United Nations (UN) peacekeepers in the country’s cities of Goma and Butembo.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde and other Church and government officials after the signing of new agreements between the Catholic Church and the government of DRC. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Signed Church-State Pacts in DRC Start of “more intense collaboration”: Vatican Cardinal

Jul 7, 2022

The Vatican Secretary of State has described the signing of new agreements between the Catholic Church and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo as the beginning of “a new, more intense, and orderly collaboration”. 

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) during their 59th Plenary Assembly. Credit: CENCO

Insecurity in North Kivu Province Cause for Concern for Catholic Bishops in DR Congo

May 31, 2022

The situation of insecurity in North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a cause for concern for the Catholic Bishops in the Central African country who are calling on those involved in the violent conflict to come “to their senses and seek dialogue”.