An international symposium focused on the thought and action of Cardinal Joseph-Albert Malula (1917-1989), former Archbishop of Kinshasa, was held from 09 to 13 June on the theme: « Women in society and in the Church in Kinshasa, thirty-six years after Malula: knowing yesterday, practices today and looking tomorrow ». The event took place within the framework of the Cardinal Malula Chair, the African Institute of Mission Sciences, under the auspices of the Université de Mazenod, held by the Oblate missionaries of Mary Immaculate. The symposium highlighted the visionary dynamics of the prelate in favour of the dignity and role of women.

The Archbishop of Kinshasa, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, opening the work, recalled that Cardinal Malula's legacy goes beyond symbolicism. The pastoral project « Inculturated Church », rooted in African culture, still finds a concrete echo in the current reflections on the involvement of women in society and the Congolese Church.

Father Macaire Manimba, Oblate of Mary Immaculate and Rector of the University of Mazenod, explained how the Cardinal Malula Chair, far from being just a set of conferences, is a mission, a form of evangelization for the Oblate missionaries of Mary Immaculate.

Ms. Yvonne Ifoku, President of the "Catholic Moms", a Catholic action movement founded by Cardinal Malula stressed: « The woman has good news... Cardinal Joseph-Albert Malula founded the religious congregation of the Sisters of Saint-Thérèse of the Child Jesus of Kinshasa and later the Movement of Catholic Mothers... »

Another highlight of the conference highlighted the play Malata Mutsingiawritten by Malula himself. Fr. Josué Maku stressed that through theatre, Cardinal Malula used dramatic art as an instrument for women's liberation and cultural expression.

This symposium had three axes of reflection structured around twelve conferences: The engagement of women in the Kinese and Congolese society, violence against women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in general and in the east of the country in particular, economics, ecology, gender and culture. The third axis was that of understanding the knowledge of yesterday and contemporary practices.

The resolutions include the establishment of an Observatory on the Status of Women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the establishment of a « Congolese mom's week » to celebrate around June 14, the anniversary of the death of Cardinal Malula.

This international symposium was attended by several speakers from Canada, Kenya, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The participation of the Oblate missionaries of Mary Immaculate was significant and remarkable.

Jean-Bedel Ndandula, o.m.i.