Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Luanda (Agenzia Fides) - “The Africa Cup for soccer is an opportunity to strengthen dialogue between people of different cultures, to increase esteem and respect for each other and build a friendship that goes beyond all barriers of race, culture or politics.” This is what the Bishops of Angola and Sao Tome and Principe say in a pastoral statement issued after their 2nd Plenary Meeting, held in the Angolan capital of Luanda, from November 13 to 20.
"From January 10 to 31, 2010, four cities of Angola will host the Africa Cup of Nations sponsored by the Confederation of African Football," the Bishops recall. "This event is an opportunity to rediscover the importance of sport in promoting values such as loyalty, perseverance, friendship, sharing, tolerance, respect for truth, and solidarity." For this reason, the bishops call on athletes to have "a dignified behavior on and off the playing field" and ask journalists to do their duty to report the news impartially, “avoiding the spread of unfounded stories and exploiting situations that may create tensions and conflicts in public opinion.”
Among other issues discussed by the Plenary were: the visit of the Holy Father to Angola, the conclusions of the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops which will be studied by a special post-synodal team, the Plenary of IMBISA (Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa) held in 2007 in Luanda, the creation of the Dioceses of Viana, Caxito, and Namibe, the appointments of new bishops, and the inauguration of the main campus of the Catholic University of Angola.
In the final communique of the Assembly, the bishops expressed their solidarity with the Angolan citizens expelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, urging all Christians and people of good will to be in solidarity with those who are in need, and avoid any actions of revenge and retaliation against the Congolese living in Angola.
The bishops also deplored the persistence of severe social inequalities and expressed their hope that the gap between rich and poor can be closed. In this regard, the Plenary also approved the Pastoral Message "Our living and acting in Christ: the social dimension." (LM) (Agenzia Fides 23/11/2009)
