AFRICA/MALAWI - Synod for Africa and Year for Priests, focus for Third Plenary Meeting of Bishops of Malawi

Lilongwe (Agenzia Fides) – The Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops and the Year for Priests were the focus of the Third Annual Plenary Meeting of Bishops of Malawi, which concluded today, September 24.
The Plenary Meeting, which was opened September 22, at the Catholic Secretariat in Lilongwe was attended by all the Bishops of the country and the Apostolic Nunzio in Zambia and Malawi, Archbishop Nicola Girasoli.
According to Fr. George Buleya, Secretary General of the Malawi Bishops' Conference, the daily schedule of the Meeting served as a preparation for the upcoming Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, which will take place in Rome, October 4-25. The theme of the Synod is “The Church in Africa at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice, and Peace: You are the Salt of the Earth...You are the Light of the World” (Mt. 5:13-14).
The Bishops also discussed plans for the Year for Priests declared by Pope Benedict XVI, which began June 19, 2009 and will conclude with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father June 9-11, 2010.
The Bishops also examined the progress of the Commissions for Development, Religious, Pastoral Ministry, and Social Ministry, and other groups in the Catholic Church. The presentations focused on their electoral process, planning, formation of Church leaders in “lobbying” and awareness, preparations for local elections, and a strategic plan for the Health Commission.
Other themes presented to the Bishops also dealt with food security in Malawi, instruction, climate change, and reducing risk for catastrophes. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 24/9/2009)