Erkebiskopen av Bukavu myrdet

V.I.S. - Thursday 31 October 1996

VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 1996 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent by Pope John Paul to Bishop Faustin Ngabu, president of the Episcopal Conference of Zaire, on the occasion of the death of Archbishop Ngabo:

"Having learned with great emotion of the tragic death of Archbishop Christophe Munzihirwa Mwene Ngabo of Bukavu, I join the pain and the prayers for this valorous pastor of the Church in Zaire, who gave his life in sharing the trial of the people entrusted to him. May God receive him in his Kingdom of Peace! As this tragedy which afflicts the Great Lakes region continues, I implore the Lord to touch the hearts of men so that arms might be silenced and feelings of hatred might disappear, giving space to the search for peace and justice for all. I strongly encourage Christians to be in their brothers' and sisters' midst as tireless witnesses of Christ's charity and mercy. To the bishops of Zaire, to the faithful of the diocese of Bukavu, to the family of the deceased, as well as to his brothers in the Society of Jesus, as a sign of comfort, I impart with a full heart my apostolic blessing."