Vatican City, Sep 7, 2012 / 01:30 am
Pope Benedict XVI has called upon lay Catholics to evangelize Africa, the "continent of hope."
"In this transformation of the whole society, which is so urgent for Africa today, the lay faithful have an irreplaceable role," the Pope said in a Sept. 5 message to the Pan-African Congress of Catholic Laity.
"Women and men, young people, the elderly and children, families and entire societies, all of Africa today looks to the 'ambassadors' of the Good News, the lay faithful," he wrote.
The Pan-African Congress of Catholic Laity is taking place Sept. 4-9 in Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon. Organized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity, it brings together Africans from all walks of life, along with the continent's bishops to "reflect on various challenges and share experiences."