Basankusu: New Year 2019

Fr Joseph, one of our diocesan priests, who works 500 km from us, came to visit Basankusu.

“How are things with Mill Hill?” he asked.

“How are things with the Congo?” I replied. And so began our conversation.

Francis Hannaway

Fr Joseph had seen many changes in the country over the years. We sat with a cold glass of beer each.

“You’ll be happy that the presidential elections will soon be taking place,” I continued.

He looked cynical. “The elections are already two years overdue.” he said. “This imposter has stayed in power long enough. He’s either killed or imprisoned his opposition, or driven them into exile. Demonstrations are brutally stamped on; even in January 2018 his police entered churches and shot people.”

President Joseph Kabila came to power after the assassination of his warlord father, in 2001.

“But now at least we’ll have elections on 23 December,” I replied.

“Elections of a sort,” he said. “The opposition candidates are all prima donnas who can’t agree on a single candidate. The electronic voting machines haven’t been distributed to every village ... and there won’t be the power to charge them. Anyway, tell me about Mill Hill. Where is Fr. John Kirwan?”

“Fr John went back to England with a bad back, but I’m happy to say he’s completely recovered.” I said.

“I’ve known him over many years,” said Fr. Joseph, his eyes sparkling. “He has given great service as a missionary here!”

“Fr. John has been asked to consider retirement. It will be a sad loss after thirty-eight years.”

Fr. Joseph looked troubled, but then asked, “What about your colleagues, Fr. Stan and Fr. Otto ... and what about new missionary priests being appointed?”

I told him about Fr. Stan, having been ill but now on his way back to Basankusu, and of Fr. Otto in Kinshasa setting up our new seminary. As for new appointments, we have about thirty seminarians from Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, and Congo. So it’s quite possible new people will soon be sent.

“Ah, yes, I knew Otto and Stan when they were at school. And what about yourself?”

Francis Hannaway
with Judith Bondjembo

“I’m looking forward to continuing my work with malnutrition. In four years we’ve treated 2,500 children. Last week we gave our seventeenth wheelchair-bike - all paid for by kind donations sent by people from Middlesbrough Diocese.”

A broad smile spread across Fr. Joseph’s face as he lifted his glass.

“Well, here’s to 2019.” he said. “Let’s hope we have a new, good president, that your students do well, and people continue to support your work with malnutrition and wheelchairs.”

[Just before the election date of 23 December a fire destroyed 8,000 voting machines, solar panels and a dozen or so cars destined for the election in Kinshasa. The date of the election was moved to December 30.]

Basankusu Cathedral Inauguration

I’d never seen so many people at our local airstrip. The inauguration of the new cathedral was about to take place in four days’ time - not only that, but our new weekly air service is still operating with its twenty-eight seater plane. Thursday’s plane brought eight bishops for the celebrations ... it also brought several invited politicians, so their supporters were also among the crowd.

Basankusu welcomes the bishops

All the cars in Basankusu, which isn’t many, were commandeered, including our three, to carry the guests. A choir sang at the corner of our house and greeted the bishops as they passed.

I heard from our night-watchman that I would be leading the Grand Parade on Friday, representing Mill Hill. I didn’t relish the idea at all. Fortunately, Fr Otto, who had travelled up from Kinshasa, and myself were given seats with the bishops.We watched the different diocesan organisations march past to the raucous rhythm of the brass band. I was especially pleased to see my malnutrition centre volunteers joining in.

With so many bishops in town, Saturday afternoon saw several masses which included baptisms, First Communions and weddings. During the evening, we gathered to re-bury Basankusu’s first bishop, a Mill Hill Missionary called Gerard Wantenaar, who died in 1951.

Sunday’s inauguration mass lasted six hours! We waited a long time outside in the scorching sun. I eventually took my place with the invited guests ... but it was much a matter of ‘grab a seat if you can!’ It was packed! The new cathedral is built in the same style as the old red-brick cathedral. The interior plastered walls are painted pale blue and white. Much more light enters now ... it really is quite something, and right in the middle of the rainforest!

But, all good things come to an end. Some visitors only flew in for the day; others left on the Monday. I, myself, was called to a meeting in Kinshasa and secured a place on our Thursday flight.

With the scarcity of flights, passengers were a bit panicky. They thought they wouldn’t all get a seat ... and they were right. People pushed and shoved to get up the steps into the plane. It was chaos! Eventually, they gave me and a local priest a place to sit on a cooler-box full of soft-drinks. The air-conditioning didn’t work and we were all dripping wet in the heat ... but two hours later we arrived in Kinshasa.