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In a pastoral letter to member churches in the Democratic Republic of Congo on the eve of historic elections, World Council of Churches' (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia has offered words of compassion and an appeal to the nation's leaders - and to the wider world.
"I am writing this letter to you especially - and to all our churches and, indeed, to the world - numb with grief and anger, groaning with you in anguish at the senseless devastation of your country and the wanton killings of your beautiful people in the worst wars in Africa's history," the letter states.
Written as the conflict-ridden country prepares for its first democratic elections in 46 years - the last election was held in 1960, when the charismatic Patrice Lumumba was elected and shortly afterwards murdered - the letter analyzes the history of this country and its people, and speaks of the ravages of the colonial period, of the continued exploitation, manipulation and complicity of western powers, of war and disease - and makes a passionate plea for justice and responsibility.
"Without money from the developed world to rebuild, without more peacekeepers to protect the innocent, without the genuine commitment of whomever leaders the Congo chooses and without Africa's own leadership empowering the heart of Africa, these elections will not bring any progress, and millions of people will have died in vain and millions more face the same future," the letter warns.
Assuring the "war-weary country of our solidarity and prayers, our commitment and action," Kobia calls on the world "to repent of its conspiracy to exploit the Congo's resources and its people for profit, to end its indifference, and to acknowledge the shame of oppression". And concludes with the cry: "We must not allow the indifference of centuries of oppression and exploitation to continue. In the name of God, it must stop."
The WCC counts eleven member churches in this majority-Christian country of 56 million people.
RELATED WCC LINKS:
- Full text of Kobia's letter (available in French and English)
