Vatican City, Feb 24, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Today the Vatican publicized a Message from Pope John Paul to Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, and all those participating in the Special Council for Africa of the Secretariat General of the Synod of Bishops.
The Holy Father’s letter was dated February 23 and written in French.
The Pope began the letter by thanking the archbishop and the synod for the "important work you have accomplished and will continue to accomplish in service to the Church in Africa."
He pointed out that the special council was formed in 1994 after the Special Assembly for Africa, and adds that it "now has the task of preparing for the Second Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa" which is scheduled for 2009.