Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dakar (Agenzia Fides) - "There has been significant progress, but there are still concerns about the difficulties and problems that are undermining the overall development of people." This is what the Bishops of the Inter-territorial Bishops' Conference (CEI) of Senegal, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritania said, in evaluating the social situation of their countries in a statement issued after the first session of the Pastoral Year 2009-2010. The meeting was held November 23 - 29 in the Diocese of Kolda in Senegal.
The statement sent to Fides reads: “With the help of an expert, the Bishops have addressed the situation of their countries. The Bishops acknowledge some undeniable progress, as well as improvements in the field of democracy and human development. However, they remain concerned about the difficulties and problems affecting the welfare of the people and the actual integral development of every person."
Among the most serious problems the Bishops indicate are: "the increase in poverty resulting from lack of real political, social, agricultural, and industrial education,commitments unkept, corruption, insecurity, and increasing political instability, hampering efforts towards reconciliation, justice, and peace, and preventing true development in order to improve living conditions.”
Among other issues discussed by the CEI were the conclusions from the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, the exhortation for Lent 2010 ( "Christian Lent, A Journey of Faith. Fidelity to Christ, Fidelity to the Priesthood"); Year for Priests (the Bishops invited priests to deepen in their contemplation of the beauty of the priesthood and the lay faithful to be aware of their baptismal priesthood); the Forum on Catechesis, to be held February 22 to 27 2010 at the Training Center of Pedagogy in Mbour (Senegal).
Cardinal Theodore Adrien Sarr, Archbishop of Dakar, in the Concluding Mass of the meeting on Sunday, November 29, urged the faithful "to cultivate the spirit of a harmonious life in social peace" and has reminded governors that "those who are in power must keep in mind that politics implies the management of the city, not just winning elections." (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 1/12/2009)
