Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides)- Catholic Bishops of Africa and Germany met in Akosombo, Ghana, west Africa between October 10 and 16 to “enhance communion among the Churches on our two continents and strengthen the witness to the solidarity in the family of God”. This was the sixth such meeting. In a joint communiqué signed by the Archbishop John Oniyekan of Abuja and President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of African and Madagascar SECAM, and Bishop Franz Kamphaus, of Limburg, President of the Commission for Universal Church Affairs of the German Bishops’ Conference, the bishops commended countries where “Christians and Muslims co-exist peacefully and cooperate with one another through joint initiatives for the betterment of the human family. The Bishops underline the need to continue efforts at Christian/Muslim dialogue also in view of massive immigration of Muslims in Europe in recent decades. “This phenomenon poses political challenges to European countries and a pastoral challenges to Christian Churches who try to establish fruitful relations with Muslims” the Bishops said, expressing concern with regard countries where “religion has become a source of constant friction, great tension, bitter rivalry, conflicts, violence and discrimination and in some cases open war”.
The Bishops condemned evil perpetrated in the name of God and religion and urged all African Christians and Muslims to jointly sponsor programmes like environment protection, promoting the sacredness of human life, the fight against AIDS that could make a positive impact on the lives of citizens or enhance human development.
Reports on Christian/Muslim relations in nine different were countries France, Germany, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan and Zambia were presented at the meeting . (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/10/2004 righe 26 parole 294)
