Congo | I was sick and you visited me”: a missionand that questions everyone
From our Africa correspondent, a commentary on the meeting for delegates of the pastoral care of the sick in the diocese of Kisangani.
Pastoral care for the sick at the heart of the re-evolution of the works of mercy
On the occasion of the World Day of the Sick, celebrated on February 11, the Archdiocese of Kisangani organized a pastoral training intended for delegates of the pastoral care of the sick.
Animated by theAbbot Victor Mbatu, director of the Pastoral Centre, the meeting highlighted the urgency of a “Re-Evolution of the Works of Mercy”, inviting Christian communities to take full responsibility for sick people in the light of the Gospel.
Illness, a theological and pastoral place
From the introduction, Abbot Victor Mbatu recalled that illness is one of the most universal and destabilizing human experiences. It weakens the body, tests faith, disrupts family relationships, and often plunges people into loneliness and anguish.
Faced with this reality, the church cannot remain a spectator: it is sent right to the places of suffering.
Referring to the Gospel of Matthew—"I was sick and you visited me" (Mt 25:36)—he emphasized a central truth of the Christian faith: the sick are not simply someone to be helped, but the place of encounter with Christ himself. Visiting a sick person thus becomes an act of incarnate faith, a criterion of the Kingdom, and not simply a social work.
Pastoral care of the sick: a mercy that becomes missione
At the heart of the catechesis was the strong expression of “re-evolution of works of mercy”, also in reference to the Forum OPERA M di spazio + spadoni, which took place in the Archdiocese of Kisangani in September 2024 and which continues to bear fruit thanks to theAbbot Victor's commitment and of the Pastoral Center in spreading the works of mercy.
Talking about “re-Evolution” does not mean evoking a violent upheaval, but a change in our way of experiencing mercy and in our pastoral style. It's about moving from spontaneous and occasional compassion to organized, lasting, and communal mercy.
The pastoral care of the sick, insisted Abbot Victor, can no longer be marginal nor reserved to the priest alone: relook at the entire Christian communityMercy is not a pastoral option, but the heart of missione of the Church, following the example of Jesus who touched lepers, lifted up paralytics and drew close to the excluded.
Comprehensive care of the patient
One of the main contributions of the training was reading comprehensive pastoral care of illnessIt affects not only the body, but also the psyche, social life, and spiritual dimension of the person. Fear of death, a sense of abandonment, loss of income, stigmatization, questions about the meaning of suffering: all realities that require a comprehensive response.
From here the importance of accompaniment Made of faithful presence, patient listening, prayer, sacraments, and concrete solidarity. The sacrament of the anointing of the sick, the abbot recalled, is not reserved for the dying, but is intended to strengthen the person in their trials.
A mobilized Church-family
The training also highlighted the role of various pastoral actors: priests, catechists, living ecclesial communities, families, and young people.
Everyone has a part to play in this network of mercy. A parish that cares for its sick becomes a true house of mercy, where no one feels abandoned.
Abbot Victor launched a clear appeal: organize love, structure compassion and make the the center of Christian concern is sick.
A gentle but profound Re-Revolution, capable of transforming Christian communities into living signs of the Gospel and mercy.
Images
- Photo by Rodrigue Bidubula
From our Africa correspondent, a commentary on the meeting for delegates of the pastoral care of the sick in the diocese of Kisangani.
Pastoral care for the sick at the heart of the re-evolution of the works of mercy
On the occasion of the World Day of the Sick, celebrated on February 11, the Archdiocese of Kisangani organized a pastoral training intended for delegates of the pastoral care of the sick.
Animated by theAbbot Victor Mbatu, director of the Pastoral Centre, the meeting highlighted the urgency of a “Re-Evolution of the Works of Mercy”, inviting Christian communities to take full responsibility for sick people in the light of the Gospel.
Illness, a theological and pastoral place
From the introduction, Abbot Victor Mbatu recalled that illness is one of the most universal and destabilizing human experiences. It weakens the body, tests faith, disrupts family relationships, and often plunges people into loneliness and anguish.
Faced with this reality, the church cannot remain a spectator: it is sent right to the places of suffering.
Referring to the Gospel of Matthew—"I was sick and you visited me" (Mt 25:36)—he emphasized a central truth of the Christian faith: the sick are not simply someone to be helped, but the place of encounter with Christ himself. Visiting a sick person thus becomes an act of incarnate faith, a criterion of the Kingdom, and not simply a social work.
Pastoral care of the sick: a mercy that becomes missione
At the heart of the catechesis was the strong expression of “re-evolution of works of mercy”, also in reference to the Forum OPERA M di spazio + spadoni, which took place in the Archdiocese of Kisangani in September 2024 and which continues to bear fruit thanks to theAbbot Victor's commitment and of the Pastoral Center in spreading the works of mercy.
Talking about “re-Evolution” does not mean evoking a violent upheaval, but a change in our way of experiencing mercy and in our pastoral style. It's about moving from spontaneous and occasional compassion to organized, lasting, and communal mercy.
The pastoral care of the sick, insisted Abbot Victor, can no longer be marginal nor reserved to the priest alone: relook at the entire Christian communityMercy is not a pastoral option, but the heart of missione of the Church, following the example of Jesus who touched lepers, lifted up paralytics and drew close to the excluded.
Comprehensive care of the patient
One of the main contributions of the training was reading comprehensive pastoral care of illnessIt affects not only the body, but also the psyche, social life, and spiritual dimension of the person. Fear of death, a sense of abandonment, loss of income, stigmatization, questions about the meaning of suffering: all realities that require a comprehensive response.
From here the importance of accompaniment Made of faithful presence, patient listening, prayer, sacraments, and concrete solidarity. The sacrament of the anointing of the sick, the abbot recalled, is not reserved for the dying, but is intended to strengthen the person in their trials.
A mobilized Church-family
The training also highlighted the role of various pastoral actors: priests, catechists, living ecclesial communities, families, and young people. Everyone has a part to play in this network of mercy. A parish that cares for its sick becomes a true house of mercy, where no one feels abandoned.
Abbot Victor launched a clear appeal: organize love, structure compassion and make the the center of Christian concern is sick.
A gentle but profound Re-Revolution, capable of transforming Christian communities into living signs of the Gospel and mercy.
Images
- Photo by Rodrigue Bidubula
