The Church Promotes Marriage in Kananga: A Collaborative Effort with the DR Congo Government and the Country’s Interfaith Council (CNRP)

Kananga, Democratic Republic of Congo – In a significant move to promote and protect the institution of marriage, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to join forces with other interreligious leaders and the Democratic Republic of Congo government. The Kananga Bride price initiative that took place on November 30, 2024, in Kananga, aims to popularize laws and practices that encourage legal marriages across the country.

Among the dignitaries attending the event include, the Vice Governor of Kasai Central Province Hon. Kuyindama Kandende, Secretary General of the Ministry of Gender, Family and Children Ms. Kamwanya Biayi Esther, the Mayor of Kananga Ms. Rose Muadi, Area seventy -Elder Willy Binene, Former Kinshasa West Mission Leader President Mawongo, CNRP Secretary General -Reverend Armand Kinyamba, Sister Thérèse(CNRP), Sister Isis(CNRP), and  Elie Twikala Kalala the Area Public Relations Manager for the Church. 

Elder Willy Binene, Area Seventy in charge of Kananga, emphasized the divine nature of marriage, stating, "Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children."

The initiative addresses the financial barriers that hinder legal marriages in DR Congo. Traditionally, the bride’s family demands a dowry, or “bride price,” from the groom, which has inflated to thousands of dollars in recent years. Additionally, some mayors charge exorbitant fees for marriage licenses and ceremonies, making marriage unaffordable for many.

Vice Governor of Kasai Central Province Hon. Kuyindama Kandende thanked the Church for the initiative, and expressed the significance of legal marriage.

"Our constitution acknowledges family as a natural foundation of the human community ... I hereby commit to make the process of civil marriage to be smooth and easy in our province, to ensure that we increase the number of registered marriages in the Kasai Central Province," he said.

Secretary General for the Ministry of Gender, Family and Children Ms. Kamwanya Biayi Esther said, “Our constitution makes it clear; the family is the basic cell of the human community. It is an essential element for the proper functioning of our society.”

Reverend Armand Kinyamba quoted a report by Mr. Oscar Mulamba showing that in the entire Kananga, only 40 marriages were registered in 2023 compared to the 48 Marriages registered in 2022, therefore seeking a remedy, “We seek the support and collaboration of the Government, as well as national and international partners, to back our initiative aimed at addressing the high costs of marriage. Additionally, we encourage couples to register their marriages under civil law to ensure the stability and well-being of both the couple and their children.”

The collaborative effort between the Church, the Government and the Interfaith council includes educating the population about these measures through meetings and conferences in various cities. At the event, Elder Binene highlighted the importance of marriage to societal stability, while CNRP Secretary General -Reverend Armand Kinyamba, endorsed the legal reforms to alleviate excessive dowry demands.

The event featured civil marriages for seventy-two couples, including 53 couples who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This initiative exemplifies the positive impact of reducing marriage costs, making legal marriages more accessible to the Congolese people.