POST-SYNODAL COUNCIL FOR AFRICA MEETS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 25, 2003 (VIS) - The Post-synodal Council of the General Secretariat for the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops met for the 11th time in the secretariat's office in Rome. For the first time all members of the council were present, according to the communique published this morning.

Joining Secretary General, Cardinal Jan Schotte, C.I.C.M., were 4 cardinals, 6 archbishops, 2 bishops and 4 members of the staff of the Synod of Bishops.

Following the opening prayer, Cardinal Schotte reviewed the activity of the General Secretariat since the council's last meeting in June of 2002. Members then gave both oral and written reports, notes the communique, "on matters in their individual countries or in entire regions, underscoring the political, civil, economic, and health emergencies that are weighing on the presence of the Church, as she brings her message and witnesses to respect for human dignity in the spirit of the new evangelization."

Council members also highlighted the continual application of the Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia in Africa" and its promotion by both national and regional episcopal conferences.

This post-synodal council will meet again in June 2004.

SE;COUNCIL; AFRICA;...;SCHOTTE;VIS;20030625;Word: 200;