MISNA
Congo DR
10.09.00
Over 100-thousand people of every confession lined up to assist the funeral procession of the late Archbishop of Bukavu, Monsignor Emmanuel Kataliko. Despite the difficulties caused by the authorities of the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD), the prelate's body was transported from the airport of Kavumu in Bukavu (South Kivu). Along the road, two 34-kilometer-long lines of men, women and children, welcomed home the body of the "great pastor", singing hymns and throwing flowers. The most emotional moment was when the procession entered the Congolese city. All of Bukavu was there, under the relentless rain and in the middle of the mud that characterise the city in this season. From last night until Tuesday morning, when the burial mass will be held at 10:00 local time, the seven parishes of the city will in turn assure a continuous wake in the Cathedral. The civilian authorities of the RCD-Goma wanted the body to be air transported to Cyangugu (Rwanda) and then hastily transferred to Bukavu for a quiet and small funeral; but the people refused. After being transferred from Rome (Italy) to Butembo on Saturday, Monsignor Kataliko's body arrived at the Kavumu airport yesterday 13:30 (local time). The funeral procession formed by 110 vehicles - including civil authorities and all religious confessions - began at 14:00. No incidents were reported, aside from a brief episode of stone throwing at the Governor's car on Independence Square (formerly called 24 November). Soldiers fired in the air for five minutes and the situation returned calm. Monsignor Kataliko, who died of a heart attack last week in Italy, was a strenuous defender of the rights of the Congolese civil society. (BO)