Vatican City, Jun 15, 2004 / 22:00 pm
The Pope stressed the tragic injustice of the problems facing the African continent and praised the development of the African churches and their battle to answer their society’s needs, during the 12th meeting of the Post-synodal council of the Special Assembly for Africa of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, which took place in 1994 in the Vatican.
The Pope noted how the council had, since 1994, “so often encouraged the bishops of Africa in their efforts to put into practice the conclusions of the synod which were contained in the Apostolic Exhortation 'Ecclesia in Africa'.”
In regular meetings,” he said, “you have been able to verify the realizations, projects and progress of the local African Churches. These Churches are worthy of praise and admiration, especially when the political and socio-economic situations are for the most part tragically unfavorable, even if there are a few signs of comfort.”
“This continent” the Holy Father stated, “seems to know neither truces nor peace. To international conflicts must be added the hotspots of fighting that sow terror and devastation among the populations, so very anxious to live in a serenity that is finally re-discovered.”