on the dramatic situation in the country.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
During these past few days, Kinshasa has been in a state of insufferable siege. The people are in revolt; some politicians, together with the police, are sowing seeds of desolation and creating general insecurity. We condemn these actions which have been the cause of death and passionately launch the following appeal: Stop killing your people; do not walk on the ashes of your fellow citizens. Also, we disapprove of and condemn all revision of the electoral law which would remove the essential content of article 220 of our constitution and illegally prolong the 2016 elections.
1. We also call on the Minister in charge of the media to restore freedom to all audio - visual media whose signal has been cut off. Democracy demands pluralism of opinion and thought. It abhors uniformity of thought. It is not right that the national television channels give only the opinion of the powerful majority.
2. We call on our people to oppose in legal and peaceful ways every attempt to change the essential laws of the election process of our country and to avoid all looting of private and public goods.
3. We offer our sincere and deep condolences to the families of the victims and we pray for eternal rest for the dead. May the Lord, through the intercession of Our Lady, grant our country lasting peace in justice and truth.
Archbishop’s House, Kinshasa, 20 January, 2015.
+ L. Cardinal MONSENGWO PASINYA
Archbishop of Kinshasa