DR Congo: Meeting the material needs of seminarians

Just over 60 young men are undergoing formation in the Abbot Kaumo seminary of Kasongo, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They gather there to study, pray, cook, play sports, and work in the vegetable garden. But the seminary’s great financial needs affects the formation they provide. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has received testimonies from seminarians and teachers there, describing the conditions in which they live, the challenges they face, and the relief they get from assistance provided by ACN.

“We have been given a good formation by our teachers. We are taught by priests and competent laypeople, and now, the house has electricity, which allows us to study better, including at night,” says Katamea Maybu Fidèle, who is in the first year of formation, in a handwritten letter to ACN, thanking its donors for the aid provided to the seminary.

But still, their living conditions are woefully inadequate, and as a result, seminarians often get sick. “A lack of water is the main reason people in our community get sick,” says Zéphyrin Mukamba Mukelo, a second-year student. “We only have five tanks in our house to collect rainwater. When it rains, we have to use that same water for all our needs. This causes typhoid, diarrhea, and many other illnesses that the seminary must cope with,” Zéphyrin adds.

These problems negatively impact their daily lives, as well as their studies. For a stronger formation, they need more resources. “We have a poor library, which is missing many things and only has old books,” says Katamea.

It is not only the seminarians who are concerned. Their teachers are, too. “We have a problem here that affects almost all students, which is a low academic standard. To overcome this difficulty and ensure a continued formation, we need many resources and materials. What we do have is insufficient,” says Father Vincent-Vercus Mateso, the vice rector, who oversees academic matters and is also the seminary bursar.

“This is why we say that your financial and material assistance is greatly needed, so that we can better prepare the future priests of the Congo,” Father Mateso adds.

“I feel obliged to thank all those who have shown their concern about the improvement of our formation, and who have supported us so that we can carry on with this heavenly task. We express our thanks, and we keep you in our prayers,” says Zéphyrin.

The financial and material aid offered by ACN also helps the teachers at the seminary, allowing them to focus on the seminarians’ spiritual development.

ACN supports the 61 seminarians of Abbot Kaumo with scholarships and five members of the seminary staff with Mass stipends.