VATICAN - John Paul II: the life of Saint Josephine Bakhita “ inspires the firm resolve to work effectively to free people from oppression and violence ”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Addressing the Bishops of Sudan received for their ad limina visit on 15 December Pope John Paul II mentioned the figures of two intrepid witnesses to the faith, “two holy individuals whose lives are intimately connected with your land: Saint Josephine Bakhita and Saint Daniel Comboni. Saint Josephine Bakhita knew the cruelty and brutality with which man can treat his fellow man. Abducted and sold into slavery as a young child, she was all too familiar with the suffering and victimisation that still afflicts countless men and women in her homeland and throughout Africa and the world. Her life inspires the firm resolve to work effectively to free people from oppression and violence, ensuring that their human dignity is respected in the full exercise of their rights.” The Holy Father said that the same resolve “must guide the Church in the Sudan today as the nation makes the transition from hostility and conflict to peace and concord. Saint Bakhita is a shining advocate of authentic emancipation. Her life clearly shows that tribalism and forms of discrimination based on ethnic origin, language and culture do not belong in a civilised society and have absolutely no place in the community of believers.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 30/11/2007; righe 14, parole 198)