LUBUMBASHI: BISHOP BISHOP TAFUNGA SUCCESSOR SONGASONGA This Sunday, January 30, 2011, in front of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, was held the official presentation of Archbishop John Tafunga stone. This took place during a Eucharistic celebration of possession with canonical attracted a large crowd and before the Bishops and priests from across the country. Archbishop Jean-Pierre Tafunga was appointed Archbishop by Pope Benedict XVI on a st December 2010. The Church of the Congo was represented at the summit by Cardinal My lord Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya and the President of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) Monsignor Nicolas Djomo Lola. Other bishops of Congo attending the ceremony are: Archbishop Marcel Madila, Bishop of Kananga, Monsignor Bernard Kasanda, Bishop of Mbuji-Mayi; Masengo Bishop Valentine, Bishop of Kabinda Monseigneur Pierre-Celestin Tshitoko, Eveque de Leuba, Monseigneur Tharcisse Tshibangu, Emerita Eveque de Mbuji-Mayi, Monseigneur Marcel Utembi, Eveque de Kisangani, Monseigneur Melchizedek Sikuli Paluku, Eveque de Beni-Butembo, Monseigneur Louis de Zala PopoKabaka; Monseigneur D Monseigneur Daniel Nlandu Mayi de Matadi, Monseigneur Floribert Songasonga Mwitwa, Arcevêque Emerita de Lubumbashi; Monseigneur Nday Jérôme, Eveque de Emerita Kongolo; Monseigneur Dominique Kimpinde, Eveque de Emerita Kalemie-Kirungu; Monseigneur Nestor Ngoy Katahwa , Bishop of Kolwezi, Monsignor Anatole Kalala, Bishop of Kamina, Monsignor Gaston Ruvezi, Bishop is Sakania-Kipushi; Kwanga Ndjibu Bishop, Bishop of Manono, Bishop Fulgence Muteba, Bishop of Kilwa-Kasenga, Monsignor Oscar Ngoie, Bishop of Kongolo. Burundi was represented by Bishop Simon Tamwana, President ACEAC (Association of Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa). This large number of Bishops was preceded in the procession, through an interminable line of priests that we should add the Vicars General and Episcopal. Monsignor Jean-Pierre Tafunga was definitely in good company.
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Procession: Cardinal L. Monsengwo, Bishop JP Tafunga Bishop and F. Songasonga |
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The Governor of Katanga. On his right Mbuyu Minister and President Assembly Prov. Katanga |
We do not forget an equally impressive list of both civil and military authorities which we include among others, the Minister of Hydrocarbons and Representative of the Head of State, the Governor of the Province Katanga, Mr. Moise Katumbi Chapwe, the Governor of the Province of Ecuador, the President of the Provincial Assembly, ambassadors, senators, deputies, etc..
catches words began, in part, Homily by His Eminence Cardinal. Without wishing to shoot in length (which has attracted the admiration of listeners), the Cardinal has identified the context of this ceremony in the minds of readers of this 4 th Sunday in Ordinary Time A. The essence of the message, addressed specifically to the new Archbishop, is summed up in the verses of the Beatitudes: "Blessed are the poor in spirit ... Blessed are those who suffer for justice, Blessed ... But also in these two verses e 1Cor 1.26-31 Reading: "God ... chose what is weak in the world ... to confuse what is hard .... " The Cardinal made its message through these verses to challenge our Company Congolese often tempted by corruption and the easy acquisition of wealth.
He paid tribute to Bishop Songasonga "the former priest of Lubumbashi, then Bishop of Kolwezi and finally Archbishop of Lubumbashi, has successfully carried out his vocation as a pastor." He also thanked him for his commitment to the Episcopal Commissions.
He congratulated Monsignor Jean-Pierre Tafunga for his new charge. He urged him to teach time and time against the truths of the Gospel. The word of God can not be chained, "he said. He recommended the new Archbishop in support of the Virgin Mary.
Before the final blessing (and before the rain suddenly dispersed the meeting), several other speeches were read: Speech by the Representative of the Clergy of Lubumbashi, the President's speech CENCO, Message of the Abbot Secretary ACEAC the word very pathetic and especially the delegation of the Diocese of Uvira Tafunga Bishop came to exercise his ministry as Bishop last, after the Diocese of Kilwa priests Uvira were visibly very marked by the passing of Monsignor Tafunga as Bishop: "You were really a man of God, for your 6 years in Uvira," they said.
Among the highlights of the ceremony, there was, of course, the rite of installation after the homily of Cardinal : reading the Bull of Pope Benedict XVI Profession of Faith, oaths, and installation in the chair, " the cathedra of the archbishop. |
Monsignor Jean-Pierre Tafunga installed |
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Bishops at the altar |
The ceremony gifts to the Archbishop intervened in the latter part of the mass. She took a long time before moving with the words: cows, goats, motorcycles, bicycles, money, freezers, fridges, lounge, desktop effects, etc..
In the end, the rain came we sprayed his blessing to mark the return of the faithful. Everyone could go back home, keeping the heart in the recollection of a grand ceremony which probably will be told to future generations: Lubumbashi just had his 4 th Metropolitan Archbishop. Alain Ket Kalenda