Train Seminarians in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Thursday, February 18, 2010

Project Code: 115-02-79

"The Congolese people have finally had enough of weeping and dying." These were the words of the vicar general of the Diocese of Bukavu, Msgr. Pierre Bulambo last December, after a priest and two religious sisters were murdered in the Democratic Republic of Congo. For too long now the Great Lakes region in the east of this country has been scourged by violence. The ceasefire agreed upon in 2008 remains extremely fragile; armed conflicts continue to erupt again and again and the civilian population is subject to rape and other brutal acts of violence, as well as expulsion. The Catholic priests and religious are standing side by side with the suffering population, and for them, too, Golgotha is a fact of everyday life. Not a few of them have already paid with their lives for their fidelity.

Thankfully, this has not stopped young men from coming forward to follow the call of God. In the philosophy year at the major seminary of St. Mbaga Tuzinde, in Murhesa, there are currently no fewer than 47 seminarians preparing for ordination. The seminary first opened in 1982, and today young candidates from six dioceses now study for the priesthood here so that they can one day serve at the altar and minister to their fellow men. Sadly, in the course of its history the seminary has been repeatedly plundered and willfully damaged.

One of the seminarians, Marc, told us about his vocation. Even as a child he always wanted to become a priest. His father was killed in the civil war and his mother was left a widow, with 11 children. But now this young man wishes to commit his own life to the service of reconciliation and somehow finally break through the vicious circle of hatred and revenge. He wrote, "The Year for Priests, that was proclaimed for the entire Church, and the special synod for Africa have strengthened me in my resolution to serve the people of God, here in my diocese that has been so tormented by hatred and division, by proclaiming the Good News of love and mercy for the benefit of the people in our region."

Levi, another seminarian, comes from a family of 12 children. His older brother is already a priest and one of his sisters has become a religious in the congregation of the Daughters of the Resurrection. His parents are overjoyed that three of their children have chosen to give their lives for the Lord. He tells how he has "blossomed" here in the seminary and how happy he is that there is such great harmony among the seminarians, despite their different origins (for the seminarians come from a variety of different regions and tribes).

The Church here is as poor as her people. Although the seminary does its best to cover at least some of its own costs, including providing food for the seminarians and seminary staff by farming and livestock rearing, prices are still soaring and the world economic crisis is hitting hard. The seminary bursar, Father Ferdinand Bizimana, has once again turned to ACN, confident of help for the training of these future priests.

Levi wrote to us once, "I thank especially all the benefactors of ACN for having remembered me on my path. May they all be assured that I will not disappoint their generosity. May Heaven grant that they live a happy and blessed life here on earth and that at the end of their lives our loving God may grant them eternal happiness." We plan to grant the seminary $8,300. Will you join in helping Levi and his fellow seminarians so that these future priests may be able to follow their vocation and continue their studies? We are sure they will remember you in their grateful prayers.

Progress: 0% Raised: $ 0     Goal: $ 8300

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