On January 17, 2020, the National Council of Christian Churches of the Republic of Congo-Brazzaville (NCCCRC) hosted a ceremony during which the Orthodox Church, under Metropolitan Panteleimon of Brazzaville and Gabon, handed over the presidency to the Roman Catholic Church, under Archbishop Anatole Milandou.
In his address, the Metropolitan of Brazzaville said, “Ecumenical movement is a very important effort, which began many decades ago and, at a local level, it helped Christians, who belong to different Christian denominations, to overcome distances.”
He added, “Ecumenical movement does not mean religious syncretism nor levelling of doctrinal teachings, nor receiving Holy Communion in different churches regardless of the doctrine.”
Finally, he emphasised, “We are addressing all our compatriots and telling them not to resort to religious movements and sects that promise a ‘quick miracle’ in exchange for bribery. A quick miracle never comes.”
He also highlighted that the Council acknowledged the need to set new and more ambitious goals, such as the role of women to be enhanced in local society, the promotion of women’s rights, and the reduction of the stigma of people with HIV/AIDS.
