Mbuji-Mayi, August 30th, 2026 (CPA).-The gratitude to the Head of State, Felix Tshisekedi, has been expressed by the congregation of the Catholic university parish of Notre-Dame de l’Esperance, (PUNDE) in the Diocese of Mbujimayi, in Kasai Oriental Province (central Democratic Republic of the Congo), for his attendance at the dedication ceremony and his decisive contribution to the completion of the construction work, CPA has learnt on Saturday during an interview. ‘The Head of State had promised to be here for the dedication. He is a man who keeps his word, and we are expecting him today. It is the hand of God manifesting itself through all those who have lent us a helping hand, and we are grateful to the President of the Republic,” has declared Jean-Claude Musas Manyong, president of the dedication organizing committee. And to add : “It is true that there are many benefactors. There are the parishioners themselves, who have truly made sacrifices to ensure that this work could go ahead, but we must acknowledge that we have received a helping hand – and not a small one – from the Head of State. And so, he is here, and we believe that everything will go well with his presence amongst us. It is a source of great pride for us. It is an opportunity for us to truly give thanks to the Lord.” He has also acknowledged the manifestation of divine providence that has touched the heart of the President of the Republic, before paying tribute to the chain of solidarity that had contributed to the completion of the project, assuring divine blessing upon all the donors. “We would truly like to thank the Lord for all of this and tell them that our prayers are with them. Whether they are here or unable to attend, I am pleased to assure them that they will benefit from the graces of this church’s consecration,” has concluded the committee president.
Father Kanda’s active faith praised for the construction of the church
Furthermore, the spiritual vision and commitment of parish priest Father Blaise Kanda have been celebrated for bringing the Notre-Dame de l’Esperance University Parish to fruition, on the sidelines of the consecration of the Notre-Dame University Parish, as CPA has learnt on Saturday from the organizing committee. ‘And we used to say to one another, when we have begun construction, he has said: “We are going to build a magnificent temple for God.” And we have prayed for that. We knew we could do nothing on our own. We have prayed constantly that the Lord would send us benefactors. And you can see something of the faith of this man, Father Blaise Kanda,” has declared Jean-Claude Musas Manyong. Reminding the project’s humble beginnings, he has recounted the start of work on the parish presbytery. “It was through his vision that we built this church. There was no money! With just $25,000 that a benefactor gave us, he has said: ‘Here, we’ll start building the presbytery.’ Today, we have a three-storey building – a ground floor plus two upper floors – and it’s finished!’ he has explained. “I believe he is a role model. Father Blaise is a role model we are truly called to follow. He is a guiding light, and I believe he is a prophet of God to whom we owe a great deal of respect and consideration, because the faith he embodies is truly extraordinary. We speak of the men of the Bible, but today we must speak of Father Blaise as a man of faith. And faith without works is dead. We have the works; why not appreciate and honor the faith he embodies?”, he has said, in essence.