Returning to the fold

Last week a pastor who left the church 6 years ago returned. Rev. Busimwa had been the associate vicar of St Paul’s, now the cathedral church, serving under the Archdeacon of Goma, who he supported in the election for bishop. After the election they both refused to serve under Bishop Désiré, left the church with 2 other pastors and half of their congregation, and set up a new church.

On Sunday Rev. Busimwa stood up in front of the congregation of St Paul’s to publicly apologise to the family of the Bishop Désiré, to the congregation and to the diocese. He acknowledged his sin, asked for forgiveness and promised to work together with others for unity. Some of the older women in the church were in tears and at the end of his confession there was rapturous applause from the congregation as they understood that only Jesus could have done this.

Martin had been working with him on reintegration for a few weeks before his public statement, and was encouraged by his humility. Others who had left came back the same day. There seems, at least to the naked eye, to be an increasing willingness to forgo conflict and to come together as a diocese to work for the common good of church and community. We are praying that this is genuine and lasting.

The consecration

Martin’s consecration as bishop is 7 weeks away (12th March) and the diocese in is full-scale planning mode. The ceremony will take place outside - with a few marquees - at the Lake Kivu Christian Centre, where Martin is interim director. We expect up to 2000 people, including guests from the UK, Australia, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, and we will need to feed them all!

It is a hugely significant public event for the diocese and a real opportunity to bring together many of our church members from across the diocese, as well as church leaders from every denomination, civil society, government and other religious leaders. And to demonstrate that at the heart of the ministry of the diocese is a commitment to building peace in such a volatile region.

The big day has a big budget. Hiring tents, chairs, a podium and a sound system. Accommodation for guests. Obligatory t-shirts with a photo of the new bishop! 3 cows at $600 each, 320 kg of fish etc etc.

The budget is just shy of $25,000 with around $10,000 to come from the churches across the diocese and $15,000 from donations from friends and partners. Many of you have given faithfully and generously to the mission and ministry of the diocese over the past 2 years. Thank you. And there will be other requests in the future. But it is the norm in Congolese culture to ask for help from friends and partners for such a big event. And so, if you feel nudged to give you can do so through the Congo Church Association here.

In other news

Patrick’s story highlighting he work of Give Directly in Kenya

Ever wondered what the Diocese of Goma is really like? Click here for a brief overview and some vital statistics.

The M23 rebel group have seemingly withdrawn from the villages 20km north of Goma, but have also reinforced their positions in our archdeaconries in the north. A few weeks ago the Archdeacon of Buito had to flee for his life to the forest, leaving his family behind. And it is still impossible for travel between these archdeaconries and Goma.

The ADF (with links to IS) are by far the deadliest of the armed rebel groups, and last Sunday they targeted a Pentecostal Church near Beni (different diocese but still in North Kivu). A homemade bomb exploded during a baptism service killing 15 and injuring nearly 80.

How can you pray?

• For the preparations for Martin’s consecration on March 12th

• For the efforts towards peace in eastern Congo

• For unity and reconciliation in the Diocese of Goma

• For the work of Give Directly

Thank you, as always, for reading, praying, giving and keeping in touch

Martin, Anthea, Silas, Zachary and Imogen