CMS Ireland has been in partnership with the Anglican Church of the Congo for over twenty years.
While its partnership is currently most active with three dioceses in the east of the country it also has a close relationship with the now retired Primate, Archbishop Fidele Dirokpa based in Kinshasa. It was through the relationship with him when he was Bishop of Bukavu that CMS Ireland developed its partnership with DR Congo. We look forward to a similar close relationship with his successor, Archbishop Henri Isingoma.
Diocese of Bukavu
Bishop Bahati Bali Busane was appointed in2006 to become the third bishop of the Diocese.
It is situated in the east of DR Congo covering the administrative province of South Kivu. It currently has 4 archdeaconries, 42 parishes and 2 bible schools. It has 73 priests supported by several hundred catechists and evangelists. The diocese vision has several priorities including evangelism, training, income generation projects and gender issues. Because of continuing civil unrest help for war victims and displaced people is a continuing priority. Currently the political situation seems to be calm in only the main towns but there are very many difficulties facing people living in village areas where rebel militias from Uganda are committing violence, killing people, burning houses and looting properties.
Diocese of North Kivu
Bishop Enoch Kayeeye, originally from Uganda, who visited Northern Ireland in January 2009, was appointed to North Kivu in April 2009. The diocese is situated in the north east of DR Congo and there are 48 parishes several hundred churches and 87 clergy. Its priorities include training for clergy, repairing and re-equipping schools and health centres, providing safe drinking water and establishing Christian colleges that focus on theology and management. Bishop Enoch is also keen to encourage small agriculture and animal husbandry activities to encourage his people towards self sufficiency. The political/security situation, like Bukavu, remains very difficult.
Diocese of Kindu
Bishop Masimango Katanda has been the bishop since the diocese was created out of the Diocese of Bukavu in 1997. It covers the province of Maniema and has an area of over 150,000 sq kilometres.Bishop Masimango was a senator in the provisional government which preceded the current administration following elections held in2006. There are 8 archdeaconries with 48 parishes, 53 clergy supported by evangelists and catechists and a very active mothers union. Its future plans include: reawakening of evangelistic activities and integrating them with social action; in service training for pastors and roofing the churches in the major centres with corrugated iron. Because of its location well away from the country’s eastern border the security situation is less troubled though there is a strong UN military presence.
The Programmes
Because of the long civil war and unrest, as well as natural disasters such as the volcano eruption near Goma, much of CMS Ireland’s help has been associated with humanitarian relief for refugees and displaced people, helping them to rebuild their lives and communities. However this has not entirely precluded other activities.
In Bukavu, including the archdeaconry of Goma, help has been provided to build two primary schools, a health centre and a grinding mill. Funding for micro credit, adult literacy training and training in animal husbandry, horticulture and pig breeding have enabled many people to earn an income to support their families. A boat has been provided to operate on Lake Kivu to provide transport for villagers along the lakeshore and to enable the Church to communicate with them. More recently, due to renewed rebel activity, CMS Ireland has again contributed to the urgent personal needs of displaced people.
In North Kivu, despite the continuing unrest, the Church is rebuilding and CMS Ireland has helped refurbish 12 primary schools and provide emergency relief. Bishop Enoch has prepared a detailed forward plan for the Diocese and there are many opportunities for individuals and parishes in Ireland to become directly involved in providing support for both small and large projects.
In Kindu Diocese, CMS Ireland’s partnership has enabled the building of a new primary school, established a Diocesan wide HIV/AIDS programme, assisted in setting up a new clinic and provided funding for a very successful micro credit programme for women. Many of these women are now able to use their skills to generate income, which allows them to feed their children, to send them to school and pay for modest healthcare. In this vast Diocese, more than twice the size of Ireland, there is a great need to reach small communities which have little or no access to even modest facilities such as are available to those living in the town of Kindu.
Looking Forward
Following a number of years when CMS Ireland was precluded from visiting DR Congo, due to the security situation, a visit was made in 2007 and it is hoped, as a result of this and the detailed discussions that took place, that the partnership will further develop for the benefit of all. However without a meaningful commitment to partnership in DR Congo by individuals and parishes here in Ireland it is unlikely that our current partnership can develop, as we and our sisters and brothers in DR Congo would wish.
There is however a great need now for Parishes in Ireland to commit to partnership with DR Congo. If you would like more to explore links in DR Congo please contact Alan Dunn, our coordinator for work in the region.
