DRC: Canadian Catholics to encourage peace process

NAIROBI, 4 January 2002 (IRIN) - Leaders of two Canadian Roman Catholic organisations will visit the Democratic Republic of Congo from 8-16 January to highlight their concern about the fighting there and encourage "forceful measures" to reinvigorate the peace process in the region. The joint mission by Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) will be led by Bishop-Emeritus Jean-Guy Hamelin. Others on the team will be CCODP Executive Director Robert Letendre, the organisation's Congo Programmes Officer Lise Latremouille, and Clement Citeya of the Canadian-based NGO Justice et Liberation. During its mission, the CCODP reported on Thursday, the group would investigate the free flow of arms entering the Congo; control of the country's riches by armed factions; the efficacy of humanitarian aid efforts; the extent of infrastructure and other damage caused by years of war; the state of the environment and the economy; and the facilities and services available to people in areas such as health and education. The group will meet Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo of Kisangani, a leading figure in the Congolese peace movement. The delegation also expects to meet Cardinal Frederic Etsou, archbishop of Kinshasa and chairman of the National Conference of Congolese Catholic Bishops, as well as civil society representatives working on peace, democracy and development initiatives. With help from the Canadian International Development Agency, the CCODP supports several projects in the Congo such as school canteen programmes and the strengthening of civil society bodies involved in the peace process. "Increased Canadian aid is more necessary than ever," Letendre said on Thursday, "both for the Congo and all of the African continent."