BISHOPS OF CENTRAL AFRICA FOR PEACE IN THE GREAT LAKES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 13, 2002 (VIS) - Today a Letter was made public from the Pope to Bishop Frederic Rubwejanga of Kibungo, Rwanda, president of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa, on the occasion of the extraordinary assembly that the bishops are celebrating in Kigali. The object of the meeting is to look for directives and pastoral orientations for peace in the region of the Great Lakes.

In the Letter, written in French and dated May 2, John Paul II writes: "Today I wanted to repeat to you: Never again war that ruins the desire of people to live in tranquility and fraternal understanding! Let there rise in Africa of the Great Lakes brave witnesses of a new hope for the entire region!"

"In order to allow the establishment of new relations among men and institutions, as well as the realization of just aspirations for peace, justice and solidarity, it is of capital importance that the Church in your region really examines herself not only about the credibility of your presentation of her message but also the credibility of those who are its carriers, because the testimony of life is an essential condition of the profound efficacy of preaching. ... In always being an example for the Christian people, you will also help the faithful in their tireless fight against the seeds of division and the ethnic struggles that debilitate the testimony of the Church and foment fraternal hate."

The Holy Father urges the pastors of Central Africa to "announce tirelessly the Good News and make it penetrate cultures, so that through your words and actions, this Word of life brings about in the hearts of Christians the growth of the generous will of collaboration in the development of societies that are ever-more respectful of the common good of people."

After urging the bishops to work for peace among those most in need, the Pope assures them that he will "pray for those who could fall into desperation as a result of the numerous divisions. ... I am also thinking of the silent victims of AIDS or of malnutrition, as well as all the people who have been affected by the recent and tragic eruption of Volcano Nyiragongo."

JPII-LETTER;CENTRAL AFRICA;...;RUBWEJANGA;VIS;20020513;Word: 370;