The Catholic Church in Congo and South SudanPope calls for "aid without welfarism" in CongoPoverty, tensions and women, challenges ahead of Pope's visit to AfricaThe Pope's apostolic journey continues in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Among his latest meetings are talks with victims of violence in the east of the country and with representatives of charities in the territory.
Victims of violence
During the meeting with the victims of violence, the Pope thanked the courage of the people who told their testimonies, adding that "it is only possible to cry, remaining silent". He wanted to express his closeness saying: "Your tears are my tears, your pain is my pain. To every family in mourning or displaced because of burned villages and other war crimes, to the survivors of sexual assaults, to every wounded child and adult, I say: I am with you, I would like to bring you God's caress. His tender and compassionate gaze rests upon you. While the violent treat you as objects, the Father in heaven looks at your dignity and says to each of you: "You are precious in my eyes, for you are precious, and I love you".
Francis condemned the use of violence and weapons. "It causes shame and indignation to know that the insecurity, violence and war that tragically strike so many people, are fueled not only by external forces, but also internally, for interests and to obtain advantages. I turn to the Father who is in heaven, who wants all of us on earth to be brothers and sisters. I bow my head humbly and, with pain in my heart, I ask forgiveness for the violence of man against man.
Praying to God, the Pope said: "Father, have mercy on us. Comfort the victims and those who suffer. Convert the hearts of those who commit cruel atrocities, which dishonor all humanity. And open the eyes of those who close them or look the other way in the face of these abominations."
Condemning the attitude of those people who promote conflicts or take advantage of them, the Pope urged striving for peace all together. "What can we do, where to start, how to act to promote peace?"
"First of all, no to violence, always and in any case, without conditions and without "buts". No to violence! Loving one's own people does not mean nurturing hatred towards others. On the contrary, loving one's own country means refusing to give in to those who incite the use of force." This is not so easy, because "to truly say 'no' to violence it is not enough to avoid violent acts; it is necessary to extirpate the roots of violence".
On the other hand, "we must say a second no: no to resignation. Peace requires combating discouragement, unease and mistrust, which lead us to believe that it is better to be suspicious of everyone, to live apart and distant, instead of holding hands and walking together".
Peace implies effort, "a future of peace will not fall from the sky, but it will be possible if resigned fatalism and fear of involvement with others are banished from our hearts. A different future will come, if it is for all and not for some, if it is in favor of all and not against some".
In addition to the "no's", some "yes" is necessary. "First of all, yes to reconciliation," says the Pope. "Finally," the Pope added, "yes to hope." This hope is "a right that must be conquered".
Francis ended his speech by alluding to Christ: "May Jesus, our brother, God of reconciliation who planted the tree of life of the cross in the heart of the darkness of sin and suffering, Jesus, God of hope who believes in you, in your country and in your future, bless all of you and console you; may he pour peace into your hearts, into your families and throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thank you.
Charitable works
Addressing the representatives of charitable works, Pope Francis began by saying, "you are the forest that grows every day in silence and makes the air quality better, that you can breathe."
In response to what the workers of works of solidarity told him, Francis commented that he was "surprised by one thing, and that is that they did not simply tell me about social problems or list many facts about poverty, but above all they spoke of the poor with affection. You spoke of yourselves and of people you did not know before, and who are now familiar to you, with names and faces. Thank you for this look that knows how to recognize Jesus in the least of your brothers and sisters".
"I would like to give voice to what you are doing, to foster growth and hope in the Democratic Republic of Congo and on this continent. I have come here motivated by the desire to give a voice to those who have no voice. Francis showed great compassion with all the testimonies told to him and expressed his desire that aid to the most vulnerable will always remain a priority in the Church.
In this regard, the Pope commented: "Believers in Christ must never sully the witness of charity, which is a witness to God, by seeking privileges, prestige, visibility or power. This is an ugly thing, which must never be done. No, the means, the resources and the good results are for the poor, and those who deal with them are always called to remember that power is service and that charity does not lead to resting on one's laurels, but requires urgency and concreteness. In this regard, among the many things to be done, I would like to highlight a challenge that concerns everyone and to a great extent this country. What causes poverty is not so much the absence of goods or opportunities, but their inequitable distribution.
The exercise of charity in the service of others is primordial, but, "first of all, charity requires exemplarity. In fact, it is not only something that is done, but it is an expression of what one is. It is a way of life, of living the Gospel. Therefore, it requires credibility and transparency".
Also encouraging us to work in unity, the Pope said: "Thank you very much because you have touched my heart. You are of great value. I bless you and I ask you, please, to continue to pray for me, because I need it. Thank you.
