MEETING OF THE POSTSYNODAL COUNCIL SPECIAL ASSEMBLY FOR AFRICA

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2002 (VIS) - The tenth meeting of the Postsynodal Council of the secretariat general for the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops took place on June 11 and 12, according to a communique published yesterday afternoon.

Under the presidency of Cardinal Jan P. Schotte, C.I.C.M., secretary general of the synod, four cardinals, three archbishops, one bishop and four officials from the secretariat general participated in the meeting.

The work sessions included a debate on the current situation in Africa, the application of the postsynodal apostolic exhortation "Ecclesia in Africa" till now, which is proceeding favorably, and in particular, on the tendencies, new problems and presentation of the first results of a study being conducted on the opportunity to celebrate a second Special Assembly for Africa.

The participants in the meeting reported on "the political and institutional crises in some countries". It was emphasized in the communique that all kinds of conflicts continue "affecting civil life and the apostolic activity of pastors in vast areas and nations. This instability, acts of persecution against the Church, and the persistence of serious economic, social and public health situations, worry the pastors of the Church in Africa greatly."

The communique concludes by announcing that the next meeting will take place on June 18 and 19, 2003.

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