THE POPE CALLS FOR A SECOND SYNOD OF AFRICAN BISHOPS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 13, 2004 (VIS) - Today John Paul II received participants in the Symposium of Bishops from Africa and Europe promoted by the Council of Episcopal Conferences of Europe (CCEE) and the Symposium of the Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). The theme of the meeting, which began November 10 and ends today, is "Communion and Solidarity between Europe and Africa."

 "I am glad," he said, "that you have considered your desire to explore the bonds of sacramental fraternity which inspire your pastoral commitment to the service of God and your brothers and sisters." He added that the pastors in Europe and Africa are called to bear witness to fraternal love "in order to face the great challenges that question the Christian faith in our globalized society." 

  "Your symposium has facilitated encounter and dialogue between the culture and mentality of Europe and that of Africa," he said: "We must value the different cultural traditions in a complementary way in order to allow the various ecclesial communities to address together existential topics like the conception of man or society, and working environments of pastoral care, like evangelization and ecumenical and inter-religious relations."

  The Holy Father underscored that in order to carry out "urgent missionary activity we must cultivate in the first place our prayer life and personal contact with Christ." He then recalled that during the days of the meeting, participants had asked for prayers from their respective ecclesial communities. "I join them in prayer," he assured them, "invoking upon you the protection of Our Lady, Star of Evangelization, as well as the special intercession of St. Augustine of Hippo, whose figure is a bridge between Africa and Europe. Today is the 1650th anniversary of his birth and during these days his relics are in Rome."

  "Considering the wishes of the post-synodal council which express the desires of the African pastors, I take advantage of this occasion to announce that I have the intention of calling a second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops.  I entrust this project to your prayer," he concluded, "as I invite all to ask Our Lord for the great gift of community and of peace for the beloved land of Africa."
AC/AFRICA:EUROPE/CCEE:SECAM                        VIS 20041115 (380)