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Assisi (Agenzia Fides) – Recalling the “shocking news” of the seven young Christians “horribly killed in southern Sudan in a grisly parody of crucifixion” and the recent Synod for Africa, which saw the emittance of "strong words that may not have been heard so well," Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, President of the Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI) opened the keynote address given at the CEI's General Assembly in Assisi, on the afternoon of Monday, November 9.
Referring to the tragic incident in Sudan, which was reported during the Synod, Cardinal Bagnasco said that "it once more demonstrates the plight of the region." Furthermore, "this kind of punishment can not fail to impress, two thousand years after the one suffered incomparably the Lord Jesus, an innocent victim for the sins of the world." The President of the CEI continued: "Really, even ours is a time of martyrs, for the peoples who live in often unappreciated freedom this seems incredible, and almost impossible. But we also know that every year, a large number of those working for the Gospel are asked to sacrifice their lives.”
Then, referring to the Synod for Africa, the Cardinal revealed the "many lessons...in terms of both an undeniable renewal in the Gospel and entrepreneurship of new roads, especially in the area of reconciliation that was one of themes of the Synod." The Synod could have been, for the citizens and countries in the Northern Hemisphere of the world, "a favorable opportunity for an impartial examination of their responsibilities," and indeed they were delivered "strong words" about "spiritual toxic waste" imposed from the rich regions of the world on the poor, armed conflict for the profit of multinationals, and a colonialism that is still alive on a cultural and economic level. "Strong words that may not have been heard so well, also due to the weak coverage that the international media devoted to this event," said Cardinal Bagnasco. "The unique strength of the African mindset - he continued - is to be, with its irrepressible popular spirituality, with its instinctive belief in God the Creator, with its astounding religious attitude, a constant challenge for all sated and distracted of the so-called developed world.”
Lack of food remains the main scourge of Africa, highlighted the Cardinal, recalling the commitment expressed by the Pope at the close of the Synod: "The Church is also committed to work with any means available, so that no African lacks the daily bread." "From the scientific point of view it is now accepted that the phenomenon of hunger is not dependent on the material scarcity of resources, but by social and institutional factors, to which we should try to improve without further ado," he said, noting that within several decades "we will have to provide 70 percent more food if we do not want to find the cupboard is empty when the world population rises - by the middle of the century - to nine billion people."
The President of the CEI also emphasized that Italy, with its geographic location, is set to "renew its traditional openness to the peoples of Africa, primarily by helping to promote their internal development, and finding a more suitable way towards a partnership that honors our own and others' dignity." In order for "our Christians to feel citizens of the world, sharing the responsibility for the fate of others," he asked the media in our communities "to continue to play an important role in presenting information and when necessary, counter-information,” On an ecclesial level, " ad gentes dynamism will continue to mark our pastoral work, as a vision of Church that always considers others, and never works without them. What is expected of us, in short, is a greater missionary awareness.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 10/11/2009)
