CAFOD's work in Democratic Republic of Congo includes responding to humanitarian crises, empowering women and girls, and building lasting peace.
CAFOD receives a wooden tree from the organisers of the Our Solution festival in Goma
Do not let us be put to shame, but deal with us in your gentleness and in the abundance of your mercy.
In today's first reading, set amidst Israel’s exile, we hear a humble and sincere confession of sin, coupled with profound confidence in God's gentleness and abundant mercy.
Contrast this with the unforgiving servant in today’s gospel reading. Having been granted a pardon for his own debts, his heart remains unchanged by his master’s generosity. He continues to pursue a fellow servant relentlessly for a paltry sum—a tiny fraction of what he himself was forgiven.
Every day presents us with an opportunity to break cycles of resentment and retaliation. We have the choice to remember the debts we have been forgiven and, in response, resolve to forgive in turn, making peace and working toward reconciliation.
This spirit is vividly demonstrated in Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where people face multiple crises of conflict, hunger, poor health, climate and economic hardship. To tackle these problems and make their own contribution, the young people of Goma have launched the Suluhisho ya Kwetu festival, a name that means "Our Solution."
This inspiring initiative, supported by CAFOD, has engaged youth across Goma and the surrounding area in a vibrant mix of art, dance, theatre, poetry, sport, and street paintings. They are fostering dialogue focused on the care of creation and committing to peace. These young peacebuilders have sent a clear message: they are part of the solution, establishing themselves as powerful agents for peace.
We pray for this same peace in our own hearts and across our world, so that our entire human family may flourish and grow in gentleness and mercy.
Prayer
Gentle God,
thank you for the mercy
you never tire of offering us.
Grant us the grace
to be your forgiving and generous people,
bringers of hope and peace.
Amen.
Act
Find out more about CAFOD’s work in the Democratic Republic of Congo.