Clergy, Laity in DR Congo Condemn Judicial Enquiry against Cardinal Ambongo as “shameful initiative”

In the April 30 statement, ACKIN members defend their Local Ordinary. They say, “All the sermons, press briefings and interviews of the Cardinal Archbishop of Kinshasa, as a pastor, are based on the Catholic faith and awaken the consciences of the faithful in line with the Church’s social teaching.”

“As such, they can never deliberately violate consciences. Calling for a common front in the face of external threats is in no way seditious remarks. Likewise, is demanding good treatment for our soldiers at the front discouraging them and calling for rebellion?” the Clergy of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kinshasa pose. 

They say Cardinal Ambongo has moral rectitude and go on to “denounce and condemn this shameful initiative which instrumentalizes justice and reflects a dictatorial drift aimed at annihilating freedom of expression.”

“We openly reaffirm, in the clearest possible terms, our attachment and unfailing loyalty to our Archbishop, Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo,” ACKIN members says, adding, “Our hearts go out to him as he carries out his prophetic mission: For the love of the Congo, I will not be silent.”

They say that Cardinal Ambongo’s messages “are welcomed by all the Catholic faithful as well as by all people moved by justice, truth and peace, seeing in him the defender of the little ones and the hope of an entire people.”

The Clergy of Kinshasa Archdiocese describe the judicial enquiry as diversionary considering the security challenges the Central African nation is facing. 

“The nation is in danger, and now is not the time for diversion. To all those who have the wrong target, we issue this warning: Whoever touches the Cardinal, touches the Clergy. Whoever summons the Cardinal, summons the Clergy,” they say. 

ACKIN members call upon the people of God in the country to “remain calm and be vigilant as we await the directives: Do not be afraid: speak up, do not remain silent.”

“We pray for the Cardinal, the Church and the Nation, that this time of trial may be transformed into a seed of justice, peace, reconciliation and sustainable development. May God bless our great and beautiful country, the DR Congo,” the Clergy of Kinshasa implore.

In another statement, members of the Catholic Lay Apostolate Council of Congo (CALCC) describe the judicial enquiry against Cardinal Ambongo as a “relentless effort to silence the Cardinal, who remains faithful to his prophetic mission.”