Vatican City, Oct 26, 2009 / 16:05 pm
The Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops closed yesterday after meeting almost continuously since October 4 to discuss the future of the Church in Africa. The Synod for Africa concluded on Saturday with Pope Benedict being presented the 57 propositions drawn up and approved by the Synod Fathers.
Pope Benedict offered his observations of the proceedings, saying, “the temptation could have been to politicize the theme, to speak less as pastors and more as politicians, and thus in a sphere which is not our own.”
Despite the “strong political implications” of the subject matter considered by the gathering, the Holy Father returned to his remarks at the opening of the synod, when he said that “reconciliation, justice and peace are not possible without a profound purification of the heart, without a renewal of the mind, a 'metanoia,' without the newness that arises from the meeting with God.”
To conclude the Synod for Africa, the Synod Fathers voted on a number of propositions, using the answers “placet” or “non placet,” which is Latin for “it pleases” or “it does not please.” The prelates selected 57 propositions to present to the Holy Father, from which he will prepare the final document on the assembly.