Throughout its colonial and post-independence history, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has suffered periods of violent conflict. Violence has been caused by ethnic rivalries, rebel militia groups, political turmoil, natural resource exploitation, and disputes with neighboring countries. Amid the violence, the Catholic Church in the DRC has been a steadfast presence for peace, justice and development. Among its peacebuilding activities, the Catholic Church has monitored elections, mediated between warring opposition groups, provided peace education and training, and ministered to the millions of suffering and displaced victims of the country’s myriad conflicts. This webinar will discuss the Congolese Catholic community’s work for peace in the DRC, especially as new challenges like COVID-19 emerge, and examine how the experiences of Catholic peacebuilding in the DRC might provide insights and lessons elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Panelists:
Mauro Garofalo, Director of International Relations, Sant'Egidio Community
Léocadie Lushombo, IT, Adjunct Instructor, Boston College Theology Department
John Katunga, Peacebuilding and Justice Africa Advisor, Catholic Relief Services
Rigobert Minani, SJ, Head of Research for Peace, Human Rights, Democracy and Good Governance, Centre d'Etude Pour l'Action Sociale (DRC); Director of Jesuit Social Ministry, DRC and Angola
Lisa Sowle Cahill (moderator), J. Donald Monan Professor of Theology, Boston College
Sponsors:
- Boston College International Studies Program
- Boston College Office of Global Engagement
- Boston College Theology Department
- Catholic Peacebuilding Network
- Catholic Relief Services, Africa Justice and Peacebuilding Working Group
- Centre d'Etudes pour l'Action Sociale
- Institut Panafricain Cardinal Martino pour l'Enseignement Social de l'Eglise
- Institut Supérieur de Paix et Réconciliation, Catholic University of Bukavu
- International Federation of Catholic Universities Peace Studies Group
- Jesuit Refugee Service
- Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame
- Sant'Egidio Foundation for Peace and Dialogue
- U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Office on International Justice and Peace