Congolese people are commemorating Simon Kimbangu, who founded his church on April 6, 1921, while the country was still under colonial rule.
This fulfills President Félix Tshisekedi’s promise to honor the man regarded as one of DR Congo’s independence heroes.
Father Kimbangu advocated for black people’s liberation from colonial rule. He was arrested and charged with undermining public security and disturbing the peace after only five months of preaching.
He was found guilty and sentenced to death, but King Albert of Belgium commuted the sentence to life in prison.
He died in prison on October 12, 1951, after being imprisoned for 30 years.
His church, the Kimbanguist church, was officially recognized by the World Council of Churches in 1969 and is thought to have approximately six million adherents today, primarily in the Central African region and the African diaspora.
