Diocese of Wamba embarks on diocesan synod

[English page]

Diocese of Wamba embarks on diocesan synod - RV

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/04/15/diocese_of_wamba_embarks...

Democratic Republic of Congo’s Diocese of Wamba has marked the beginning of its diocesan synod with a colourful liturgy and procession. 
The Diocese of Wamba, in Congo DR, is located in the Ecclesiastical province of Kisangani and has a population of about 600 000 inhabitants. Of these, an estimated 40,000 are ‘forest peoples’ or pygmies. 

The theme of the diocesan synod is, "The Church of Wamba marching towards new Evangelization. " 

The Bishop of Wamba, Janvier Kataka, presided over the opening ceremonies at the Cathedral of Wamba. A huge crowd of the faithful from the diocese together with synod delegates attended the Eucharist. Also present was Fr Emmanuel Nsukula, a priest of the Diocese of Matadi, who will facilitate the work of the diocesan synod. 

In his homily, Bishop Kataka reminded the delegates that they were participating in what was truly a milestone in the life of the diocese since this was the first-ever synod the diocese was beginning. The Bishop urged delegates to work towards moving the diocese into a future where the work of Evangelization would have new and added momentum. 

During the liturgical procession, a model of the Wamba Diocesan Cathedral laden with ‘model building bricks’ from different communities of the diocese, including communities of the minority ‘forest peoples’ or pygmies, was solemnly carried in procession. The model was then placed in the baptistry where Congo’s Blessed Anuarite, a daughter of Wamba, was herself baptised. The ‘building blocks’ in the model of the Cathedral symbolise a gathering of all the united children of Wamba under one roof of the Church. 

The Synod delegates solemnly recited the profession of faith before the faithful to register their intention of faithfully discharging the responsibility entrusted to them by their communities. 

Born in Wamba, Blessed Marie Clementine Anuarite Nengapeta was a nun who became a martyr about the age of 25 when Simba rebel forces killed her, in 1964.

During her beatification in 1985, Pope Saint John Paul II likened her act of forgiving her aggressor, before she died, to that of Christ. 

(Source: Radio Nepoko/Vatican Radio English Africa Service)