DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, Father Jean Marie Bisimwa •
The Schoenstatt Fathers have been living and working in Uvira, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, for four years. 2020, the first year of the pandemic that largely spared Africa, was a fruitful year; in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Schoenstatt has been growing for years and where several Schoenstatt Fathers come from, the first branch of the Schoenstatt Fathers was founded.In the meantime, a Shrine is being built and the work of the Fathers in the Bon Pasteur parish in Kalundu, in the south of the city of Uvira, is at the service of the people.
UVIRA | Aerial view of the town of Uvira from a MONUSCO helicopter: Photo: CC BY-SA 2.0, Link | MONUSCO photo, United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, via Wikipedia
Uvira is the capital of the territory of Uvira in the province of South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It covers an area of about 16 km between Lake Tanganyika and the Mitumba Mountains. The city is the economic and transportation center of Uvira and the seat of the Diocese of Uvira. Uvira has an estimated population of 590,000 (2020). The city is known for its flourishing trade, fishing industry and cultural heritage.
The Schoenstatt Fathers are currently working on three social-pastoral projects in the Kalundu district in the south of Uvira.
A roof for the church
There is a project to build a roof for the church of one of the chapels in the rural area of the parish. We started this project three years ago and it is progressing little by little. Until now, all services have been held in the open air because the small church has no roof. This does not diminish the joy of celebrating the Eucharist and the sacraments! The services are well attended, and the singing conveys the joy of the Gospel.
Buildings are constructed according to the needs and financial resources
Stores, offices, and a place to live
There are two other projects to promote the life of the parish community and the pastoral work in the area.
The fathers plan to build two shops for the self-financing of the community and a multifunctional space for income-generating activities.
There will also be four offices for pastoral work.
Since each project is different in its usefulness and urgency, we are trying to move forward one at a time, depending on the availability of funds. Thank you for supporting us from near and far.
Satellite 3D Map of Kalundu Source: Maphill.com
Donations for the pastoral-social work in the parish should be marked “Congo – Parish”.
Schönstatt-Patres-International e. V.
IBAN: DE06 4006 0265 0003 1616 04
BIC/SWIFT: GENODEM1DKM
Purpose: Congo – Parish
At the service of parish life
Original: German. Translation: Maria Fischer @schoenstatt.org
