Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yaounde (Agenzia Fides) – The Bishops of Cameroon are “profoundly dismayed” for the press' partial presentation of the response given by Pope Benedict XVI to a journalist on the Church's commitment to fighting the spread of AIDS in Africa, as it has “ignored the Church's work in the fight against AIDS and in caring for the sick.”
“It is simply astonishing,” says the note sent to Agenzia Fides from the Cameroon Bishops' Conference, that the press wants to make people believe that there was a general discontent among the public in Cameroon during the Holy Father's visit, as a result of his declarations.”
“The Bishops of Cameroon strongly affirm that the people of Cameroon have received Pope Benedict XVI with joy and enthusiasm, thus confirming their legendary hospitality. He does not deny the reality of AIDS, not its devastating effects on families in Cameroon.”
The Bishops highlight that: “The Holy Father places mankind at the heart of his concerns and recalls that teachings of Christ and the Church.” This concern is present in the life of the Church in Cameroon, as is shown “in the commitment of the Catholic Church with those who suffer from the AIDS virus, the HIV-positive and the sick are among the Catholic Church's priorities.” It is a task that seeks to give importance to “the dignity of the adoptive children of God,” and that “obliges us to renew our perception of others and of the world. Instead of seeking momentary solutions, the Church offers man values that are eternal.”
“The Catholic Church works on a daily basis in the fight against AIDS. She has created structures designed for accommodating, assisting, and treating people with the HIV virus. This assistance is at the same time moral, psychological, nutritional, medical, and spiritual. This is the Holy Father's primary message on AIDS,” the Bishops say.
“Along with this multi-form and constant action the Church, as a moral force, has the duty of reminding Christians that all sexual practice that is outside of marriage or disordered is dangerous and favors the spread of AIDS. Thus, the Church preaches abstinence to those who are single and conjugal fidelity to couples. It is her duty and she cannot deny it. This is the second message from the Holy Father.”
This message has been misunderstood and therefore, “the Bishops of Cameroon regret the fact that the media, especially in the Western countries, has ignored the other aspects that are, in fact, essential to the Holy Father's message for Africa, i.e. on poverty, reconciliation, justice, and peace. This is a serious situation, especially considering the number of people who have died from other diseases in Africa, and are not given publicity and considering the number of people who die in Africa as a result of internal conflicts, as a result of injustice and poverty.” (LM) (Agenzia Fides 25/3/2009)
