Photo shots from the video of a news report from Kasongo

From the former Belgian colony, Zaire. Mobutu has been in power now for thirty years.

Despite thirty years of turbulent history, not all connections between the two countries have been broken. There is a longstanding link with Catholic missionaries; their numbers, however, are reduced considerably. From ten thousand in the 'early days' to about a thousand at present. Most of them are elderly and they can rightly be called: 'The last generation'.


Journalist Chris Michelin and cameraman Frank Koete travelled to the interior of Zaire in search of those last Flemish priests.

Three questions are put to the missionaries:

1) Does their work - in isolation - still make sense ?

2) How do they view the Regime ?

3) Do they think they will ever return to Flanders ?

This is the report of their travels


The interior of Zaire. In this impenetrable jungle there still live and work hundreds of Flemish missionaries totally isolated from the outside world. This little aeroplane is the only contact with the mission outpost. Roads are not maintained but are overgrown by the rain forest.

The arrival of the plane is THE happening of the month.


The priest here, Fr. De Lien, flies once a month to Rolingo, about 1300 Km. east of Kinshasa. There we shall meet Fr. Valentijn and Fr. Jan. Valentijn and Jan live as the sole whites among the isolated tribes.


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At the landing strip we are met by Fr. Valentijn. He belongs to the White Fathers. He is one of the younger confreres here at 62, most of them are over 70. He has worked here for 42 years. He hails from St. Niklaas (a Flemish town) but this jungle is, however, his real home.

"These are our people" says Fr. Valentijn with a gesture to the people
behind him.

"We are very aware that we are an almost extinguished race. About one thousand confreres and 350 sisters. We are preparing the Catholic Church for tomorrow. The next generation will be black priests."



There have been no proper roads in Zaire for a long time - just mud tracks, and, travel by jeep is possible only in dry weather. So, we are going to the parish nearby where Fr. Valentijn has organised a gathering. The young Zairians feel honoured by the visitors' presence. We are the centre of attention.


Valentijn : We are losing young people. Young people are more and more attracted to the various other denominations, especially American Protestants. As well as that, a couple of other churches have been established. These attract young people through dance - and drinking sessions. It is like a 'plague'.


N : Why do they go there ?

Valentijn : Lots of youngsters are going there, driven by the 'ambience' rather than for any religious motives.

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The mission outpost is ten kilometres down the road, but first we are going to the Local Security Office.

In the Belgian past there used to be a tin mine here, and this was the Post Office. It is funny to see a Dutch sign on this building in the middle of the forest . . . .("Entrance Strictly Forbidden")


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The officer inside is proud because he has got some prisoners.

Valentijn (conversation in French) : What have they done ?

Officer : They are guilty ! They have done bad things.

The two smiling captives explain that they are held in prison for obstructing public road works. When asked why they did this, their answer was: "Because we were not at work."

Valentijn : They look cheerful enough. If I were in prison, I would not have such a fine smile on my face ! (their smiles grow bigger...)











In the mission outpost, Fr. Jan awaits them. He is Valentijn's Dutch co-worker. Both priests look forward to receiving their mail - magazines and letters - which arrive after a delay, sometimes of several months. It has been forwarded mostly by priests as the Zairian Post has been defunct for a long time.

Valentijn (opening a parcel): It's like Santa Claus !

N : Valentijn and Jan speak in French together. If they talk Flemish, the Zairians think that they say bad things about them.


The day starts early in the mission. Valentijn gets up at 5.00 a.m. The cook, Joseph, is already at work. Breakfast is at 06.30. Joseph has worked for them for 30 years and knows their tastes well.

Valentijn : Eat up! Flemish food!

The mission of Lingur was originally in the middle of a village, but, some years ago the people fled as they were convinced that the place was haunted because a couple of young people died. Now, the mission stands on its own in the jungle except for one hut in which an old woman and her sick husband live. They refused to leave. So, they are avoided by the other members of the tribe who regard them to be a witch and a sorcerer. To alleviate their isolation, Valentijn visits them regularly.

Valentijn : People around here live with a huge fear of angry spirits. Illnesses are attributed to them. When I ask them what is wrong with them, they might say: "Bad aunt hit me, haduwi." But, maybe that is not the case,
and it is just an infection that could be helped with an antibiotic. They fear enemies in the village.


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For villages farther afield, Valentijn's mode of transport is a motorbike - the only motorbike in the region. He sleeps on airbeds in abandoned huts.
His parish is about the size of Flanders, but he makes a point of visiting all the communities because competition with the other sects is strong.

Valentijn : The Catholics are losing more and more followers.There was great success in the beginning, then a huge drop, lots and lots. Now, going slowly up again. I think we'll have to get through this crisis. This is not a Church triumphant . . . .neither is it now, in Europe.

The Mass takes place under a canopy of green.

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Here, they do not need luxury but - dancing, singing, and swinging rhythms are a must. The missionaries have adapted themselves well to the different temperament of the African people.