In Congo, church leaders work to prepare people for June elections

Published: 2006-04-05

OTTAWA (CNS) -- Each day, as many as 1,000 people die -- usually from disease and malnutrition -- in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Militias invading from neighboring Rwanda and Uganda vie for Congo's mineral wealth, and homegrown militias in the eastern region have forced tens of thousands to flee their homes. Two years ago, U.N. soldiers stationed there were involved in a scandal involving the purchase of sex from young girls. Amid all the turmoil, Congolese church leaders are hoping and working for free and democratic elections June 18, a monumental task in a country with a landmass the size of Western Europe but little infrastructure. Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace and Canadian International Development Agency grants and expertise have helped the local church. Congolese Bishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu of Kilwa-Kasenga visited Canada March 23-April 5 to report on the project, meeting with church and government leaders. He said because the church was not associated with the government it was in a unique position to help educate and register voters.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .