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| News - International Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from a WWME priest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Fr. Mario Barbero Here in Kinshasa we celebrate this Christmas 2006 with a newly elected President: Joseph Kabila. The first democratically elected President in 40 years, as they say. The history of Belgian Congo (then Zaire, now Democratic Republic of Congo) has been marked by much suffering all these years. After almost 30 years of dictatorship of Mobutu, in the early 90's started the "transition" to a multi-party system, then came the war that toppled Mobutu in 1997 followed by five years of war and millions of casualties. Then in 2001 an agreement was found and a "transitional Government" put in place to prepare the elections. With much pain and going through many obstacles, this transition seems now to be over with the elections of the new President (installed on December 6) and the new Parliament, from which a Prime Minister will be designated. As I consider all this, it seems a miracle that all this happened. Imagine a country the size of Western Europe, without roads. With the generous help of the international community they managed to register 25 million voters and set up 52,000 voting stations even in the most remote areas. Within ten months around 75% of the voters went three times to vote (constitutional referendum in December 2005, Parliamentary and first Presidential elections in July 2006, second ballot of the Presidential elections in October 2006), many of them walking 30 to 50 miles and usually voting very orderly and peacefully. This seems to me a miracle and a sign of the strong determination of Congolese people for peace and democracy. As we thank the Lord for all this we ask your prayers for what is to come. The new Government has to rebuild this vast country and the challenges are huge. In his inaugural speech the President stressed 5 priorities: infrastructures (roads, airports), water, electricity, education and health. As for me, I continue my life in our seminary community of 21 members, two priests and 19 seminarians all studying theology. I keep teaching Bible in two theological centers of Kinshasa and being busy in my "hobby" of Marriage Encounter and family apostolate. I hope and pray that with the improvement of the political and social situation of the country more couples will afford to contribute at least partially their expenses for the ME weekends. In August and September I have been visiting several parishes in the USA for "mission appeals" sharing with many people about the missionary work in the Congo and our missionary responsibility. I also had the opportunity of visiting some of my friends in USA and even baptizing the child of a young couple. These visits were for me like a special pilgrimage into your many "domestic churches". I am in fact convinced that the earliest and deeper experience of church is the family and I wish to thank all the married couples and all families for your love for each other and for serving the Lord in your daily commitment to your spouses and children and elderly members of your families. This coming December 19 I'll celebrate the 41st anniversary of my priestly ordination. I invite you to join me in thanking the Lord for the gift of my missionary Priesthood. God bless you and your dear ones. Fr. Mario P.S. For those who wish to support my missionary work here in Kinshasa, the easiest and safest way is to send your donations to Consolata Missionaries, Thanks Click here for a printable version (PDF, 8KB)
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