CENCO bishops conclude 63rd Plenary Assembly urging peace, national cohesion, and deeper synodal life in the Congolese Church.
Newsroom (02/03/2026 Gaudium Press ) The 63rd Plenary Assembly of the members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) has drawn to a close with a resounding call for peace, unity, and strengthened synodal commitment across the Central African nation.
Presiding over the conclusion of the February 23–28 session, Archbishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu of Lubumbashi, who serves as President of CENCO, expressed profound gratitude for what he described as a gathering “marked by grace, unity, and openness.”
“We give thanks to Almighty God who gave us to spend this session in the spirit of brotherhood, charity, serenity, and freedom of expression,” Archbishop Muteba said in his closing message. “This has enabled us to carry out the work to the end.”
He added that the meeting reflected “a strong moment in the exercise of our Episcopal collegiality,” as bishops prayed, shared the Word of God, and celebrated the Eucharist in an environment of mutual respect and spiritual depth.
Synodality at the Heart of the Assembly
This year’s plenary was anchored on the central theme of synodality — the ongoing commitment to walk together as a Church, the “Family of God in Congo.” Delegates engaged in discussions, reports, and reflections aimed at renewing the Church’s sense of mission and shared responsibility.
Across six days, the bishops reviewed reports from twelve Episcopal commissions and addressed matters presented by the Permanent Committee. Among their deliberations was a pastoral exhortation directed to consecrated persons, urging them to be “witnesses and artisans of the missionary synodality of hope.”
Archbishop Muteba also commended lay movements for their vital role in promoting Christian values. He singled out the Catholic mothers’ movement, noting its “ecclesial and social relevance” and encouraging them to continue shaping a just, value-driven society. He extended similar praise to youth and Catholic Action groups such as Kiro Kongo and Bilenge Amuinda, which submitted their statutes for national recognition and pastoral support.
Strengthening Church Structures and Education
The bishops approved several key documents to strengthen Church governance and pastoral activity. Among them were the statutes of the Economic Council of the Synod, regulations for the Theological Committee, and a ten-year trial of the Koumené Program, set to serve as a national framework for religious education in primary Catholic schools across the Democratic Republic of Congo.
CENCO members also engaged with representatives from various Church bodies, including the General Secretariat of the Synod, the National Sanctuary of Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta, the Pontifical Missionary Works, and the Financial Institution for Works and Development (IFOD).
Recognizing the importance of supporting these structures, Archbishop Muteba announced the bishops’ collective decision to personally contribute to the construction of the National Sanctuary of Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite, honoring the late Congolese martyr known for her faith and courage.
Appeal for National Peace amid Turmoil
Turning to the country’s complex social and political landscape, the bishops addressed the ongoing challenges gripping the Democratic Republic of Congo. Archbishop Muteba underscored their concern over “socio-political, economic, security, and humanitarian crises,” which he said continue to threaten both national cohesion and territorial integrity.
“Faced with these challenges,” he urged, “we are invited to remain vigilant and to continue, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to work for lasting peace in our country and in the region of the Great Lakes.”
In a moving gesture of pastoral solidarity, the bishops prayed for suffering populations, especially those living in areas affected by conflict and armed violence perpetrated by both local and foreign groups. “Moved by our pastoral duty, we have prayed for all our brothers and sisters who endure the pain of war,” the Archbishop affirmed.
As the assembly concluded, Archbishop Muteba placed the nation and the Church under divine protection. “May the Most Holy Virgin Mary, our Mother, surround us with her protection, and may God bless us,” he prayed, capturing the spirit of faith, unity, and hope that defined the congregation’s week-long deliberations.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Africa
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