AFRICA/ANGOLA - With the hope that the Pope's visit will help strengthen the family and overcome the consequences of the war

Luanda (Agenzia Fides) - “Pope Benedict XVI's visit, the second time a Pope is on Angolan soil (the first was Pope John Paul II in 1992). This visit happens at a time when the Angolan authorities take measures to tackle the cases of gender violence that lately have been emerging in the whole of the national territory.” These are words taken from a commentary posted on the website of allAfrica.com, on the upcoming visit of the Pope. “Benedict XVI brings to Angola a message of peace and reconciliation aiming at uniting families and providing the well-being of all citizens.” The press has recently reported on numerous cases of “sexual abuse of children and couples who for one reason or another get into fighting, even causing the loss of lives.” According to many political and religious figures, the Pope's visit, which is meant to be a preparation for the second Synod on Africa, is “is an extremely important moment for Angola and Africa.” The faith of the Christians will be “strengthened” and “will certainly advise all Angolans to stop violence.”
In a country where “there is a serious violence problem,” says psychologist Encarnacao Pimenta, “a country that has recently emerged from a war that left traumas,” it is important and urgently necessary that “society, and especially the press, promote a campaign of awareness and information an the positive actions of charity, solidarity, fraternity, mutual respect, etc. and the identity of the youth.” “The attention of mothers, especially pregnant mothers, in feeding their children and in avoiding alcohol and cigarettes” could avoid the birth of dysfunctional and handicapped children. His appeal is that of “strengthening the family, with an attentive gaze towards the social groups of children, to encourage participation in domestic activities and dialogue between parents and children,” so that the country can overcome its traumas and difficulties that have come as a result of this increased violence. (MT) (Agenzia Fides 20/3/2009)