Catholic Church spokesperson in the Democratic Republic of Congo Bishop Donatien N’shole has responded to President Félix Tshisekedi’s vile accusations suggesting they had drifted onto a “dangerous path” by allegedly supporting the opposition ahead of the elections on December 20, 2023.
Bishop N’shole, who sat down for a 30 minute interview, says President Tshisekedi may have reacted based on half baked information supplied to him.
“I believe that the Head of State
did not read our last message. He was satisfied with what was certainly reported to him by people who do not like the
church,” he said.
Bishop N’shole said from time immemorial, the church has always stood firm to represent the voice of the voiceless.
“The church has always been on
the side of the weak. There was a moment when the situation was hot, it was almost every other day that I was in Limete late at night to see old Étienne Tshisekedi to
exchange notes, and at that moment he was in a weak position compared to those in power that wanted to impose everything on the people.
“The church remains in this dynamic position. What has changed is that those who were in the opposition are now in power,” he said.
Bishop N’shole says if the church stood up for a weak Etienne Tshisekedi as an opposition leader, they had no reason to do abandon the opposition when Tshisekedi was in power.
“Under the previous regime, we
very often went to rue de Limete to see Étienne Tshisekedi [at the headquarters of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, UDPS]. Does that mean that we
were corrupted by the opposition of the time? I don’t think so. The Church is on the side of the people,” he added.
On Sunday, President Tshisekedi warned the Catholic Church against advocating for chaos after it ueged the people of Congo to be vigilant during the polls to avoid rigging.
WATCH THE VIDEO OF BISHOP N’SHOLE
