Pope urges Congo youth to reject corruption and they respond
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Pope Francis led Congo’s young people in a rousing denunciation of political corruption on Thursday, turning an otherwise scheduled meeting with church catechists into a rally that rocked the capital’s sports stadium.
Francis was repeatedly interrupted when some of the 65,000 people at the Kinshasa Martyrs’ Stadium took up his call to say “no” to corruption and turned it into a demand for the Congolese president, not for a second term in elections later this year to run for office.
The Argentine Pope often uses his trips abroad to denounce corruption, particularly when meeting young people, hoping that future generations will resist the temptation to engage in dishonest deals for personal gain. The subject is particularly dear to Francis, who has written a book on the subject and is fond of saying that corruption is far worse than sin.
He continued that tradition in Kinshasa on Thursday, denouncing the “cancer of corruption” as he urged Congolese to create an honest future for themselves and their families.
“If someone offers you an envelope with bribes or promises you favors and lots of money, don’t fall into the trap. Do not be fooled! Don’t let yourself be dragged into the swamp of evil!” Francis said to Prost.
Transparency International ranks Congo 166th out of 180 in its Corruption Perceptions Index, finding a direct link between political corruption and the high level of insecurity in the country. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi says his government is committed to fighting corruption, denies any wrongdoing and blames foreign powers for decades of violence by rebels and armed militias in the east.
The audience took up Francis’ appeal and broke into a chant in Lingala addressed to the country’s President, thundering that his mandate was over.
The pope seemed to enjoy the enthusiasm, although he needed his interpreter to explain what the crowd was singing.
More than two-thirds of Congo’s roughly 100 million people are under the age of 25, and the United Nations and humanitarian agencies have said the country’s youth are ‘stricken’ as fighting in the east of the country has claimed the lives of more than 5 million people , particularly vulnerable to abuse are fleeing their homes.
Some at the stadium said Thursday the lack of jobs in Congo has fueled the conflict, as there are few other opportunities for young people to earn money legally.
“We have the impression that our leaders are doing absolutely nothing to improve the living conditions of the population and that these leaders are minimizing the ability of the youth to improve things,” said Kavira Shukuru, 26.
“And this situation is one of the causes of the instability and insecurity that our country is experiencing. An unemployed youth is easily influenced and can easily join an armed group to earn a living or be influenced by a politician with ill intentions,” she said.
Tshisekedi, who is up for re-election at the end of the year, took office just over four years ago, ushering in a new era that many had hoped for after his predecessor’s 18-year tenure. But critics say Tshisekedi’s government has not done enough to improve living conditions in Congo, where many remain desperately poor despite the country’s vast natural resources.
A senior adviser to the president resigned in September amid a mining deal scandal. Opponents have also accused the president of giving bonuses to lawmakers and advisers.
Emery Kalo, 27, said the government is doing what it can but Congo’s young people need more opportunities to find work and receive proper training and education.
“Because of the lack of jobs, many young people indulge in crime and other depravities,” Kalo said. Dreaming of the future, Kalo said he would like a Congo where the government guarantees security, justice, jobs and health care.
“I would like to see Congo embody its role in mid-Africa and harness our resources by transforming them here on the ground,” Kalo said.
Later on Thursday, Pope Francis met with Congolese priests and nuns at the capital’s Notre-Dame Cathedral and reiterated his call to avoid the temptations of corruption, vice and material comfort.
“It’s scandalous when this happens in the life of a priest or a sister, because they should instead be models of sobriety and inner freedom,” he said, urging religious figures to live honest, Christian lives — including keeping their vows of chastity .
Outside the cathedral, advocates for victims of clergy sex abuse held a small protest, holding up signs urging Francis to use his trip to meet with survivors. Signs also urged him to apply church law, which punishes bishops who cover up abuse.
Benjamin Kitobo, a 55-year-old Congolese survivor now living in the United States, called for accountability to stop abuse in the church.
“If he doesn’t help the Africans, it will remain a mystery for many years to come,” he said.
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Yesica Fisch contributed to this. ___
The Associated Press’s religion coverage is supported by AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. AP is solely responsible for this content.
