Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Johannesburg (Agenzia Fides) – It’s election time in Africa. First, the legislative elections held this weekend in Angola, then there’s the greatly anticipated presidential elections of Ivory Coast scheduled for November, and then there’s South Africa, already preparing for the presidential vote of 2009.
Several commentators are wondering about the state of democracy in Africa, as they observe the somewhat disconcerting outcomes of almost all the continent’s elections. The African Bishops’ Conferences are making an important contribution to the debate, with their timely interventions on the eve (often several months ahead) of voting day, to offer Catholics and all men of good will the right guidelines for voting.
The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), for example, recently spoke out on the elections scheduled in South Africa in 2009, during their Plenary Assembly held in August, at Mariannhill. “The situation in South Africa is a cause for concern for many people. The lack of ethical leadership and the lack of service from the Public Service were all extensively discussed” by the Bishops, a statement released at the end of the meeting read. Referring to the party in power since 1994, the African National Congress (ANC), the Bishops state: “it has been observed that the majority party has taken the title of ‘ruling’ party to heart, with little concern for other groupings. It had lost the sense of ‘governing.’”
Thus, the Bishops felt that the future of democracy was at stake and that positive intervention was necessary. In response, they will issue two pastoral letters on the elections, one when the polls are announced and the second shortly before polling day.
Other issues discussed at the plenary included the Second Synod for Africa, scheduled for October 2009. The Lineamenta, or working document, for the synod was discussed and will be finalised by the SACBC secretariat. The 15th plenary meeting of the Symposium of Episcopal conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) which might be hosted by South Africa next year was also discussed.
On the Year of St Paul which began on June 29, the bishops proposed a pastoral letter. The Conference also resolved to give its full and enthusiastic support to the cause for the beatification and canonization of the Servant of God Abbot Francis Pfanner, founder of Mariannhill Monastery and the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 8/9/2008)
