DRC: The Catholic Church of Congo reaffirms that it wants Kabila to Step down in 2016

After a series of meetings with Pope Francis in Rome, the Episcopal Conference of the Congo (CENCO) published a letter on Sunday that reaffirms its opposition to any form of constitutional modification that would allow Joseph Kabila to run for president in 2016.

Après différentes rencontres à Rome avec le pape François, la conférence épiscopale de RDC a publié dimanche une lettre dans laquelle elle réaffirme son opposition à toute modification de la Constitution de la RDC pour une nouvelle candidature de Joseph Kabila en 2016.

This article was translated from French. Click here to read the original from Jeune Afrique.

Gathered together in Rome for the traditional "ad limina apostolorum" visit, the bishops of CENCO unambiguously restated their firm opposition to Joseph Kabila's possible candidacy in the 2016 presidential election.

"For us, the happy future of the Democratic Republic of Congo lies incontestably in maintaining respect for the Constitution, the laws of the land, and ensuring that these continue to act as the bedrock for our young democracy (…) We reaffirm our opposition to the modification of article 220 in any shape or form, this locked article of our constitution stipulates that the republican character of the state, the principal of universal suffrage, the representative form of government, the number and length of presidential mandates, the independence of the judiciary, and political and syndical pluralism cannot become the objects of constitutional revision", explained the letter, dated Sunday, September 14th.

The "ad limina apostolorum" visit occurs every five years in Rome, and demands the participation of all Catholic bishops.  The visit is made of up several activities; attendees make a pilgrimage to the tombs of Christian apostles Peter and Paul, and bishops are also required to deliver an account on the state of the diocese that they are in charge of.  The Congolese bishops ensure that the Pope "supported them in their pastoral mission to be 'men of hope for their people' and to 'offer their contribution' towards building a happy future for their nation."

The Fight Continues

CENCO's most recent message reaffirms the previous one, published in June, which expressed opposition towards "any kind of initiative that would aim to empty article 220 of its essential content, without directly trying to modify it".  A position that is in line with the Congolese Church's fight against the different powers the country has known since 1970.  But this time, to mark the occasion, the DRC's Catholic Church has gone farther.

She has equally suspended her participation from the Comité d'intégrité et de médiation électorale (CIME).  However, the bishops affirm say that the ongoing process has the support of their prayers.  They have thus in all likelihood seized the opportunity of their visit with Pope Francis in Rome to publicize their position on the ongoing debate about the modification of the constitution that has consumed the attention of all the DRC.  However, the response of the DRC's government spokesperson remains the same.  While being interviewed by RFI on Wednesday, Lambert Mende denounced CENCO for accusing the Congolese head of state of having a hidden agenda.

This article has been translated by Matthew LaLime, Staff Intern with the Africa Program at the Wilson Center.

Photo Credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk at Catholic Church England and Wales via Flickr.