At the end of their mission for more than a year, two parish priests from the DRC would like to be able to stay in France

2024-01-16T12:07:12.227Z

Highlights: In Savoie, in southeastern France, two priests from the Democratic Republic of Congo are currently living in hiding after their residence permits expired. Fathers Isaac Dikundwakila and Jean Mayamonals did not want to return to their diocese of Matadi (Kongo Central province) at the end of their contract in September 2022. Nearly three-quarters of the foreign priests who officiate in France come from Africa. About fifty faithful occupy the sparse ranks in the Church, the priest Raoul, originally from Benin.

In Savoie, in southeastern France, two priests from the Democratic Republic of Congo are currently living in hiding after their residence permits expired.

At the end of their mission for more than a year, two parish priests from the DRC would like to be able to stay in France

In Savoie, in southeastern France, two priests from the Democratic Republic of Congo are currently living in hiding after their residence permits expired.

The church of Saint-Pierre d'Albigny, Savoie, on October 2, 2021. © Florian Pépellin/Wikipedia

By: RFI Follow

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When migration issues overshadow religion. Fathers Isaac Dikundwakila and Jean Mayamonals did not want to return to their diocese of Matadi (Kongo Central province) at the end of their contract in September 2022. Enough to embarrass the Church of France. Nearly three-quarters of the foreign priests who officiate in France come from Africa.

In Father Jean's former parish of Saint-Pierre d'Albigny, the unease is palpable. About fifty faithful occupy the sparse ranks in the Church, the priest Raoul, originally from Benin, ensures the service: "About 40% of the priests officiating in France come from other countries.

After this sermon, the parishioners' tongues were loosened about the two Congolese priests. "Father Jean asked us for help because he told us he wasn't leaving. As for Father Isaac, obviously there were also problems, he told us that he could not go back because he was in danger," said a faithful at the end of the Mass. "Father Jean had a health problem. A priori, it could not be treated in the Congo. Whether that's the problem, I don't know, but he clearly told us," said another parishioner.

Today, Father Jean lives in hiding. Father Isaac says he is threatened in the DRC and refuses to return. Father Raoul was disapproved of this: "It brings opprobrium on all African priests. I've come, I have a mission contract. At the end of this contract, I am supposed to return to my country and to my diocese.

Today, the Church employs about fifteen African priests in Savoy. There are about 2,400 of them in France.

According to information from our confreres from the Dauphiné Libéré, a local newspaper in Savoie, Father Isaac Dikundwakila has been suspended from his duties by the diocese of Matadi.

At the end of their mission for more than a year, two parish priests from the DRC would like to be able to stay in France

At the end of their mission for more than a year, two parish priests from the DRC would like to be able to stay in France

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