Your Excellency the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Kinshasa,
Ladies and gentlemen, the political and administrative authorities,
Reverend Fathers, Fathers,
Reverend Sisters, Reverend Brothers,
Distinguished Guests to your respective titles and qualities,
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Let me take the floor to express to you our great joy on this day of the celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the parish of Saint Eloi. This parish whose genesis is intimately linked to the history of the implantation of the Oblate missionaries of Mary Immaculate in the Archdiocese of Kinshasa.
Excellency Monsignor, brothers and sisters in Christ, in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the parish of Saint Eloi, we remember that in 1964, the rebellion of Pierre Mulele had caused numerous loss of life, including three Oblate missionaries of Mary Immaculate killed at the Catholic Mission of Kilembe in the Diocese of Idiofa in the province of Kwilu. Then, forced to disperse in order to avoid falling into the hands of the rebels, some missionaries found themselves here in Kinshasa.
It was in these circumstances that Cardinal Joseph-Albert Malula, then archbishop of Kinshasa, allowed the Oblate missionaries of Mary Immaculate to take up a parish in Kinshasa. And Saint Eloi was chosen. It is an opportunity for us today to reiterate our sense of gratitude for the diocesan hierarchy of Kinshasa. We think especially of His Eminence Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo Besungu, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa for his pastoral concern for the missionary work of our Congregation of Oblates of Mary Immaculate, founded by Saint Eugene de Mazenod in 1816 in France and arrived in Congo-Belge in 1931.
Thank you too, Monsignor Carlos Ndaka, for agreeing to come and pray with us today. (Bravo).
It is important to remember today that in the logic of faith, chance does not exist. We firmly believe that it is God who accompanies us in the planning and coordination of our good works. We recognize that in 60 years of pastoral life, many good things have happened here in the parish of Saint Eloi.
We are all witnessing the gradual growth of a Christian community that has become mature over time. One of the many proofs of this growth is the manifest signs of the faith of the faithful of Saint Eloi. An example of these signs is that you, dear parishioners of Saint Eloi, are not many but you have been able to equip yourself and rehabilitate this beautiful parish church. Together with our fellow missionaries Oblates of Mary Immaculate assigned to the midst of you, you have made many sacrifices to patiently achieve your pastoral goals, offering yourself one of the most beautiful gifts of 60 years of your parish existence. You built a beautiful home to worship the Lord. That is why we congratulate you and sincerely thank each of you for all your efforts. Please do not stop there. Saint Eloi, advance offshore, over and over. And all this, for the greatest glory of God and the salvation of souls. Since our Lord Jesus Christ said: « Whoever hands the plow, then looks back, is not made for the kingdom of God. » (Lk 9, 62).
Excellency Monsignor, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, may the Lord, our God, bless us all and grant us his graces to continue his noble mission of salvation for all humanity.
Thank you.
Kinshasa, 15 December 2024
Father Constant Kienge-Kienge
Provincial Superior
of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
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