Cotonou, Benin, Nov 20, 2011 / 13:07 pm
Catholic parishes in Africa and around the world have to evangelize all people, not just those who are presently Catholic, Pope Benedict XVI has told the bishops of Benin.
“In no way can the Church restrict her pastoral work to the ‘ordinary maintenance’ of those who already know the Gospel of Christ,” he told the bishops gathered in the chapel of the apostolic nuncio’s residence in the city of Cotonou Nov. 19.
“Missionary outreach is a clear sign of the maturity of an ecclesial community. The Church, therefore, must reach out to everyone.”
The Pope’s address came at the end of the day on which he signed his apostolic exhortation on the future of the Church in Africa, “Africae Munus.”