DRC: Cardinal Ambongo forgives persons who stormed residence.

Camille Mukoso, SJ and Vatican News English Africa Service.

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo recently addressed the attack on his house, first by thanking Bishops and the Catholic faithful in DRC for standing with him in prayer.

The Church, a family

On Sunday, 1 August, a group of young persons arrived at the Diocese of Kinshasa's Lindonge Pastoral Centre and proceeded to Cardinal Ambongo's residence. They threw stones at his home, vandalised property and splashed graffiti attacking the Cardinal. The assault on the home of the Cardinal was connected to the Church's criticism of the reorganisation of the country's Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI).

"You prayed for the Cardinal about what happened last week. Today I wanted to thank you," said Cardinal Ambongo. He continued, "You have shown that you have love for the Cardinal. You have shown that we are one family,” he said.

As we forgive those who trespass against us

Cardinal Ambongo went on to say that what had happened to him was not any different to what Christ had endured. “The work of God,” he said, “is difficult work.”

The Archbishop of Kinshasa finally declared that he had forgiven the perpetrators and instigators of the irresponsible act. "It happened like that, but we must pray for these people. Even Jesus Christ went through such, and Our Lord himself said: 'They do not know what they are doing,'" emphasised the Cardinal.