Catholic Church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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The Catholic Church has a major presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is part of the global Catholic Church under the Pope in Rome. In 2020, about 47% of people in the DRC identified as Catholic. The country has six archdioceses and 41 dioceses, with the Archdiocese of Kinshasa being the largest. Its archbishop, Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, leads the regional church leaders in Africa.

The Church is one of the country’s most important institutions. It serves a large portion of the population in religious services and has educated a big part of the country’s students over the years. The Church runs a wide network of hospitals, schools, clinics, and many church-owned farms, stores, and crafts shops.

The church’s rise in the DRC began during the colonial period. Belgian authorities supported Catholic missions to educate and civilize the population, while the Church focused on evangelization and baptisms. After independence in 1960, Catholics faced attacks, and the church gradually moved from being closely aligned with the state to becoming a strong critic of the government.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the relationship between the Church and Mobutu’s regime was tense. The state took control of universities, tried to influence church life, and pushed a national identity that sometimes clashed with Christian practices. The Church spoke out against corruption and mismanagement, and by the mid-1970s it had largely taken back responsibility for many church schools. Tensions continued through the 1980s and into the 1990s, with church leaders sometimes targeted for their public criticisms.

The DRC also has a distinctive liturgical tradition called the Zaire Use or Congolese Rite, approved in 1988. It emphasizes active participation, including dance and common cultural expressions, and it respects African life and culture. It also includes the practice of inviting ancestors and saints in the worship context, and sometimes priests bless readers before they read aloud.

Cardinal Joseph Malula is viewed as a foundational figure for the African Church in the region and a pioneer of Africanizing the Catholic Church in sub-Saharan Africa.

Finances have been an ongoing challenge. By the 1970s and into the 1990s, the Church depended on foreign grants and many dioceses were not financially self-sufficient. The Church also relied on a large number of expatriate priests, nuns, and brothers at various levels.

In recent years, Congolese bishops have spoken out on national crises. In 2022, they warned that the country could break apart due to insecurity. In 2024, several bishops in the east condemned the mistreatment of people and called for dignity and respect. Local bishops have also spoken out against violence and urged authorities to protect civilians and uphold international law.

Overall, the Catholic Church remains a central force in the DRC, shaping education, health care, social life, and moral discussion, while navigating a complex history of state power, conflict, and cultural change.