Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - "We are committed to continue vigorously the proclamation of the Gospel to the peoples of Africa, because 'life in Christ is the primary and most important factor of development ... In fact, development arises from transformation of heart and transformation of heart comes from conversion to the gospel' (conclusive Message of the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, No 15)". Thus, this morning October 29, the Holy Father Benedict XVI received the Bishops of Angola, Sao Tome and Principe, who have just completed their Ad Limina Apostolorum visit.
The Pope began his address by referring to the visit in Luanda, in March 2009, during which he said he could, "celebrate Jesus Christ in the midst of a people who never cease to seek, love and serve Him, generously and joyfully"; he mentioned the Year of the Faith, "so that the whole Church can offer to all a more beautiful and believable face, more limpid transparency of the face of the Lord", and finally his next travel to Benin, to deliver to all the people of God the fruits of the Second Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops.
"The Christians breathe the spirit of their time and undergo the pressure of the customs of the societies in which they live. Yet, by the grace of Baptism, they are to renounce harmful practices, and swim against the tide guided by the spirit of Beatitudes", underlined the Holy Father, who then turned his attention to "three of the most important difficulties currently facing many inhabitants of Angola and Sao Tome who follow Christ". The first problem the Pope identified was that of concubinage, which "is a sign of grave burden on families which, we well know, are vitally important for the stability of society". The Pope then recalled that, for this reason, the Episcopal Conference has chosen marriage and the family as the pastoral priorities of the current triennium. "Help married couples to acquire the human and spiritual maturity they need to accept their mission as Christian spouses and parents with responsibility", urged the Pontiff. So the second difficulty in the work of evangelization, is "the hearts of the baptized are torn between Christianity and traditional African religions. Faced with the problems of life, they do not hesitate to turn to practices that are incompatible with adherence with Christ. One particularly abominable consequence is marginalization and even murder of children and elderly people, condemned by the false dictates of witchcraft. Recalling that human life is sacred at all moments and in all situations, continue, dear Bishops, to raise your voice in support of the victims".
Finally, the Pope mentioned the "remnants of ethnic tribalism, evident in the attitude of communities that tend to close in on themselves, rejecting people from other parts of the country". Expressing appreciation for the Bishops that "have accepted a pastoral mission outside the boundaries of their regional group and language", Benedict XVI said that "in the Church, the new family of all those who believe in Christ, there is no space for division of any kind... Men and women of different tribes, languages and nations gather round the altar where, sharing the one Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist, they become true brothers and sisters. This bond of fraternity is stronger than that of our earthly families and tribes". (SL) (Agenzia Fides 31/10/2011)
