CONGOLESE ARCHBISHOP REFUSED ADMITTANCE TO DIOCESE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 14, 2000 (VIS) - In response to journalists' questions, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls today made the following declaration:

"I can confirm that the local authorities have not allowed Archbishop Emmanuel Kataliko of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, to reach his diocese. He is presently in Butembo, the city of his birth, awaiting the opportunity to return to Bukavu.

"The faithful of the diocese ask with heartfelt insistence for the return of their pastor who is particularly appreciated for his apostolic courage in defending the rights of all.

"The Secretariat of State, which requests the bishop be allowed to return among his people without delay, will make use of diplomatic channels in order to rectify this regrettable incident which gravely prejudices the rights of the Church."

OP;CONGO;...;NAVARRO-VALLS; KATALIKO;VIS;20000214;Word: 140;