Cotonou, Benin, Nov 19, 2011 / 15:10 pm
Pope Benedict XVI has signed his Apostolic Exhortation “Africae Munus,” a teaching document which charts a future for the Catholic Church in Africa.
“Africa, land of a New Pentecost, put your trust in God! Impelled by the Spirit of the Risen Christ, become God's great family, generous with all your sons and daughters, agents of reconciliation, peace and justice!” the Pope said at the signing ceremony in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in the southern Benin city of Ouidah Nov. 19.
The document contains the Pope’s conclusions following the Synod of African Bishops held in Rome in 2009.
After a brief moment of Eucharistic adoration, the Pope explained what he hoped the 2009 synod had achieved. He also explained his hopes for his new exhortation, which will be presented to the bishops of the continent at a Mass in the city of Cotonou tomorrow morning.