Word: nguesso
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1980-1980
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...attitude toward religion is most perplexing in the People's Republic of the Congo. In 1977, Emile Biayenda became the second Cardinal in the century to be assassinated. But last month the nominally Marxist government of President Denis Sassou Nguesso established diplomatic relations with the Vatican and pleaded urgently to be included in the papal visit. The Congo needs to court Catholicism to shore up its popular support and counteract the influence of revolutionary religious sects that seek to overthrow the government. John Paul used his visit to remind Congolese officials that religious freedom is "at the center...