VATICAN - The Pope at the Angelus recalls the dynamism of the local African Churches: “We are grateful to God for the missionary élan that has found fertile ground in numerous dioceses and that is expressed in the sending of missionaries to other African countries and different continents.”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – During the three weeks of the II Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops. “the Synod Fathers, who have come from every country in Africa, have presented the rich reality of the local Churches. We have shared their joys for the dynamism of the Christian communities that continue to grow in quantity and quality. We are grateful to God for the missionary élan that has found fertile ground in numerous dioceses and that is expressed in the sending of missionaries to other African countries and different continents.” This is what Benedict XVI affirmed prior to the recitation of the Angelus with faithful gathered in Saint Peter's Square on October 25, at the end of the Closing Mass for the Synod Assembly.
The Pope recalled that during the Synod sessions, there was a particular focus on the family, which in Africa “today is threatened by foreign ideological currents” and youth, “ influenced by models of thought and conduct that are contrary to the human and Christian values of the peoples of Africa.” The Church responds to Africa's current problems and its “great need for reconciliation, justice, and peace, “re-proposing, with renewed impetus, the proclamation of the Gospel and the action of human promotion.” Lastly, the Holy Father addressed all the African peoples, to spiritually present them with the Final Message of the Synodal Assembly: “It is a message that comes from Rome, the see of the Successor of Peter, who presides over the universal communion, but one can say, in a sense that is no less true, that it has its origin in Africa, whose experiences, expectations, plans, it gathers and now returns to Africa, bearing wealth of an event of profound communion in the Holy Spirit.”
In concluding, the Holy Father said: “Dear brothers and sisters who listen to me from Africa! I entrust to your prayers in a special way the fruits of the labors of the Synod fathers, and I encourage you with the words of the Lord Jesus: be salt and light in the beloved African land!” Before reciting the Angelus, Benedict XVI announced that, on the occasion of his upcoming trip to Cyprus, he will consign the "Instrumentum laboris" of the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East, which will take place next year. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 26/10/2009)