Online Reporter
The Herald, 5 May 1980
AT least nine people were killed and 65 injured when they were trampled by a crowd heading for a mass celebrated by the Pope.
One witness, a Polish nun, said the incident took place near the scene of the mass, which the Pope celebrated under a canopy in a centre square of Kinshasa.
People were knocked down in a crowd surging to enter the site when the gates opened, Sister Gertrude Kosecka told reporters. When the mass finally started two hours later there were no indications the tragedy had occurred and the Pope went ahead normally with the consecration of nine bishops.
The Pope, who arrived in Zaire on Friday at the start of an African tour, was expected to visit the injured later yesterday. About a million people, including Zaire’s President Mobutu Sese Seko and his bride of four days, were among the worshippers at the outdoor mass.
The Pope sat on a wooden throne under a bamboo canopy and yellow-robed priests danced around the altar. The Pope told the new bishops that the Roman Catholic Church stood for justice. He said they should preserve the faith in unity with the Vatican. This was seen as an appeal to some African prelates not to go too far or too fast in their programmes to Africanise the liturgy.
Lessons for today:
- The tragic incident where people were trampled shows the intense devotion and willingness of people to go to great lengths to be near the Pope. This level of commitment, despite the risks, underscores the deep love and reverence people have for him.
- The Pope’s message to the new bishops about preserving the faith in unity with the Vatican reflects the importance of maintaining a cohesive and unified Church. This unity is crucial for the strength and stability of the Roman Catholic Church.
- The Pope’s emphasis on justice and his role in consecrating new bishops demonstrates his leadership and the moral guidance he provides. His actions and words inspire followers to uphold the values of justice and faith.
- The Pope’s appeal to African prelates to balance their efforts to Africanise the liturgy with maintaining unity with the Vatican shows his awareness of cultural differences and the need for sensitivity in religious practices.
- The Pope’s expected visit to the injured highlights his compassion and concern for the well-being of his followers. This personal touch reinforces the love and respect people have for him.
- The passage illustrates the profound impact the Pope has on his followers, their unwavering devotion, and the significant role he plays in guiding and uniting the Church.
