Since last week, tension has been growing between the Catholic Church of Lubumbashi and the 22nd military region of the DRC. Originally: two events. First, the kidnapping last Friday of a seminarian by a group of soldiers. Then, the ban by the commander of the 22nd region on the celebration of the feast of Christ the King within a military camp. The Catholic Church denounces what it describes as an excess of power, while on the side of the army, it is affirmed that there is no conflict between the two institutions.
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With our correspondent in Lubumbashi, Denise Maheho
For the Archbishop of Lubumbashi and president of Cenco, these events hide a deeper problem: a land conflict between theCatholic Church to several political, police and military actors. He accuses the latter of having despoiled the concession which houses the major Saint-Paul seminary, despite a judgment rendered in favor of the Church.
Acts of intimidation
Monsignor Fulgence Muteba denounces acts of intimidation:“There is a line that should not be crossed in that Church and State are two different institutions and each is completely autonomous. For me, it is very clear that there is a link between the way we are handling this issue of the spoliation of our concession in Tshamalale and this illegal order that General Eddy Kapend gave. »
Reconstruction
Concerning the kidnapping of the seminarian, an investigation is underway. The military court has opened a trial and a reconstruction of the facts is planned for Wednesday.
On the army side, the spokesperson for the 22nd military region assures that there is no tension between the Catholic Church and the institution. Regarding the ban on Sunday mass, he justified General Eddy Kapend’s decision for security reasons, saying that the latter only fulfilled his duty.
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