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Maputo (Agenzia Fides) – How to ensure the implementation of the outcome of the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops which took place in the Vatican in October 2009? This is the main objective of the encounter that took place in Mumemo, near Maputo, Mozambique, from 23 to 26 May 2010.
According to a statement sent to Agenzia Fides, the encounter was attended by 134 delegates from Caritas Africa and the Department of Justice and Peace of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM/SCEAM), other organizations of the Catholic Church in Africa, Caritas Internationalis and its members (Caritas Norway, Caritas Spain, Caritas Germany, Secours Catholique Caritas France, Caritas Australia, Catholic Relief Services, CAFOD), from CIDSE (International Cooperation for Development and Solidarity, an organization made up of 16 Catholic development agencies), and from Misereor and Missio.
The meeting was attended by Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania) and President of SECAM/SCEAM, and Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, Archbishop of Kampala (Uganda) and President of Caritas Africa.
At the close of the encounter, there was an approval of the “Mumemo Declaration: A New Pentecost for Africa.”
“Africa is a continent of great opportunity; therefore it is part of the mission of the Church Family of God to help make this opportunity real for the people of the continent. And it is particularly pertinent that at a time when many countries of Africa are celebrating 50 years of independence that the Catholic Church celebrates a New Pentecost for Africa,” says the statement.
Among the various recommendations were: the creation of Justice and Peace Commissions where there are none; drawing up, within 6 months, a strategic plan by Caritas Africa and the Commission for Justice and Peace of SECAM/SCEAM to promote "strategic and critical issues, such as good governance, peace building, extractive industries and climate changes”; the creation by the SECAM/SCEAM of a Working Group “on the prepositions of the Synod specifically relevant to women"; the development of a plan by the SECAM/SCEAM to improve information sharing between regions and through the continent. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 31/5/2010)
