I have been reading articles by Tom Ndahiro, who raises significant questions about the beatification of King Baudouin of Belgium. He is not alone in this skepticism; even in Belgium, where Baudouin ruled from July 17, 1951, until his death in 1993, many question the Vatican's decision. Pope Francis’ visit to Belgium in September 2024 sparked protests in Brussels following his sudden announcement to begin the beatification process for King Baudouin. This decision has prompted questions about the motivation behind the Vatican’s move, particularly in light of Belgium’s colonial history. The Vatican’s push to sanctify King Baudouin does not appear to stem from his personal virtues or achievements. It is widely known what Belgium’s colonial administration, including King Leopold II’s reign in DR Congo, inflicted upon the people of Rwanda, Burundi, and especially the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). ALSO READ: Denial as devotion - A King's legacy and the ghosts of colonial Africa This historical context raises doubts about the moral justification for such an action. So, what could be the Vatican's rationale? The Catholic Church was the first European institution to establish a foothold in DR Congo. In 1491, King Nzinga-a-Nkuwu (King João I) of DR Congo and his family were baptized by Portuguese missionaries. His successor, King Nzinga Mbemba (King Alfonso I), sought to transform Kongo into a Catholic state. During the Belgian colonial era, the Church’s influence deepened. Under King Leopold II, DR Congo was treated as his personal property, and the Catholic Church played a central role in establishing schools and hospitals. These efforts were not purely altruistic but aligned with Belgium’s colonial objectives. A revealing moment in this partnership occurred on October 30, 1921, when Belgium’s Minister of Colonies, Jules Laurent Jean Louis Renkin, convened a meeting with missionaries destined for the Congo. Renkin outlined ten directives for the missionaries, emphasizing subjugation, exploitation, and cultural erasure: Here are the 10 directives; Do not teach the Congolese to know God, as they already have their deities. Discourage interest in material wealth, using religious teachings to promote acceptance of poverty. Suppress resistance by promoting fear through violence and intimidation. Undermine indigenous beliefs and symbols to weaken cultural resilience. Instill absolute submission and discourage critical thinking in education. Preach values you do not practice and dismiss questions about hypocrisy. Decry African artifacts and traditions as demonic, confiscating them for European museums. Maintain a hierarchical social distance, treating Africans as inferior. Infantilize Africans, lying to them as necessary to maintain control. Accuse them of communism or rebellion whenever they demand justice. These directives reflect the Catholic Church’s complicity in the colonial exploitation of the DR Congo, aiding Belgium’s imperial agenda. In return, the Church was rewarded with vast land holdings, free labor, and resources, cementing its economic and political power in the region. Legacy of collaboration The Catholic Church became an indispensable partner of the Belgian state, particularly in education and healthcare. This partnership persists today, with the Church still controlling a significant portion of these sectors in the DRC. Moreover, the Church remains one of the country’s largest landowners, benefiting from the colonial legacy of free land grants. Why Beatify King Baudouin? Given this historical backdrop, the Vatican’s decision to beatify King Baudouin raises questions. If his opposition to abortion is cited as his key virtue, it seems insufficient to overshadow the colonial atrocities committed under Belgium’s rule, including during his reign. The beatification appears more aligned with preserving historical ties and mutual interests between the Vatican and Belgium than with celebrating genuine sainthood. Ultimately, the beatification of King Baudouin could be seen as a symbolic act to reinforce the longstanding alliance between the Catholic Church and Belgian state—an alliance rooted in colonialism and exploitation. If opposition to abortion alone were enough for sainthood, as critics argue, heaven might be populated by individuals whose broader actions were far from saintly.
