VATICAN CITY, SEP 23, 2004 (VIS) - Pontifical representatives of Africa and Madagascar start a three-day meeting today in the Domus Sanctae Martha in the Vatican. The gathering was convened by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, six years after the first such meeting in March 1998 and ten years after the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops.
Archbishop Michael Courtney, apostolic nuncio in Burundi who was assassinated in December 2003, will be remembered during the meetings. According to a communique that was issued today, the assembly intends to express the spiritual closeness of John Paul II and the solidarity of the universal Church to the peoples and local Churches in Africa. It will respond to the urgent need - continuously mentioned by the Holy Father - not to abandon this continent so that, by using its many and abundant natural and human resources, it can overcome the serious evils that afflict it and become the protagonist of its own integral development.
Joining the nuncios will be the cardinal secretary of State, the substitute for General Affairs, the secretary for Relations with States, and the heads of various dicasteries of the Roman Curia most directly interested in this area. There will be an exchange of information and participants will reflect on the political, social, economic, religious and ecclesial situation of the African continent and on the best ways to fulfill the delicate mission entrusted to them, a mission often marked by hardships and sacrifices.
This morning Jacques Diouf, director general of the Food and Agricultural Organization, addressed the gathering. Participants will be welcomed by the Holy Father on September 25 in Castelgandolfo.
.../MEETING NUNCIOS:AFRICA/SODANO VIS 20040923 (280)
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