VATICAN - “Communion and solidarity between Africa Europe”: second preparatory meeting for a Symposium of Bishops of Africa and Europe in Rome 10 to14 November.

Saturday, 15 May 2004

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Vatican City (Fides Service) - A second preparatory meeting for a Symposium of Bishops of Africa and Europe in Rome 10 to14 November, was held in Rome on 15 May at the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples CEP. The initiative, sponsored by the CEP, is promoted by CCEE the Council of Bishops Conferences of Europe and SCEAM Symposium of Bishops’ Conferences of Africa and Madagascar. The Symposium which will reflect on the theme “Communion and solidarity between Africa Europe”. is expected to bring together about one hundred bishops from Europe and Africa as well as representatives of bodies for cooperation and Vatican departments is The preparatory meeting was attended by 14 representatives of CCEE, SCEAM and bodies for cooperation and presided by Cardinal Josip Bozanic, Archbishop of Zagreb for CCEE, Bishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja (Nigeria) for SCEAM and Archbishop Robert Sarah CEP secretary.
In a welcoming address Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, said the Congregation was happy to host the event for more reasons than one: this year is the 10th anniversary of the Special Synod of Bishops for Africa (April-May 1994), communion between Africa and Europe is a reality and the importance of Africa for the universal Church.
The Cardinal said the symposium will be an opportunity to consolidate communion among the Bishops of African and Europe stemming from the missionary nature of the Church and shared responsibility for mission, evangelisation and pastoral work. Among the main challenges in Africa which the Symposium will address he mentioned spiritual needs (growth of the Church, initial and ongoing formation of priests and the whole people of God; material needs, pastoral structures, seminaries, schools, universities while not overlooking other problems on this continent such as certain political situations, relations with Islam, the spread of religious cults and sects. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/5/2004; Righe 25; Parole 335)