Pope praises Congolese priests, bishops, urges them to heal rifts

Published: 2006-01-27

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI praised the courage and dedication shown by priests and religious who continued to stay close to citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo during the country's civil strife. But he called on the priests and bishops to heal any divisions that may have erupted among them as a result of the conflict. The pope made his remarks in a Jan. 27 audience with bishops from Congo who were at the Vatican for their "ad limina" visits, required of heads of dioceses every five years. Since 1996, nearly 4 million people have died as a result of the civil strife plaguing Congo, formerly Zaire. Though the civil war formally ended in 2003, rebels still roam the country along the borders, terrorizing civilians and exploiting the nation's natural resources to fund their militia campaigns. In his Jan. 27 address to bishops, the pope said he understood the "difficult conditions" in which the church worked, and he thanked the priests and religious for "their often heroic service."

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