Pope Francis remembers the "Oscar Romero" of Democratic Republic of Congo

Pope Francis' trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan has made the danger many missionaries face each day abundantly clear.

During his meeting with religious, bishops and priests in the Cathedral of St. Theresa in Juba, South Sudan, the Pope heard the stories of Sr. Regina Roba and Sr. Mary Daniel, two nuns murdered in 2021.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pope Francis stressed the example of Jesuit Bishop, Christophe Munzihirwa, a man who was killed for defending human rights in 1996. People have sometimes referred to him as "the Oscar Romero of the Congo."

POPE FRANCIS
The day before he died, he sent a message to everyone saying:
"God will not forsake us if we strive to respect the lives of our neighbors, whatever ethnic group they belong to." 

This highlighted another reason for Pope Francis' visit. He wanted to be close to a Catholic community whose lives are in constant danger due to their ethnicity, economic situation, faith and morals.

JRB

TR: KG