VATICAN - The Pope grant audience to Papal Nuncios in Africa: “continue to be witnesses of communion, helping to overcome tensions and misunderstandings and the temptation of particularism, and to strengthen a sense of belonging to the one and undivided People of God”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - On Saturday 25 September at the end of the morning in his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo Pope John Paul II gave a special audience to Papal Nuncios from Africa taking part in a meeting in the Vatican. The meeting, held 23 - 25 September, was called to mark the ten years which have passed since the Special Synod of Bishops for Africa held in April-May 1994 and six years since the first such meeting for Nuncios held in March 1998. The Meeting was also an occasion to commemorate the late Archbishop Michael A. Courtney, papal Nuncio in Burundi tragically murdered last year. With representatives of various Curia departments the Nuncios exchanged views and information and reflected on the political social, economic, religious and ecclesial situation of Africa and ways to carry out their difficult mission more effectively.
In his address to the Nuncios, the Pope’s first thought was for Archbishop Michael Aidan Courtney, Nuncio in Burundi, killed on 29 December 2003: “who carried out his mission in favour of the people of Burundi with generosity and fidelity, to the supreme sacrifice of losing his life . May his heroic testimony give new vigour to those working for peace in Burundi and all Africa!”.
The Pope thanked the Nuncios for their service carried out with “zeal and fidelity in difficult situations, sharing the suffering and the tragedies of the local Churches and peoples”, and he said: “Rest assured that the Pope and the Curia are close to you, as this meeting demonstrates.”
The Church has always shown her concern for Africa especially with the special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa and its fruit, the post-synodal exhortation "Ecclesia in Africa", which the Pope mentioned in his address when he told the Nuncios that the Church in Africa “faces new problems and old problems but it is also open to great hope”.
As Papal representatives you are called to assist the development of the local ecclesial Communities, foster integral progress for society and, above all, help “cultures to encounter Christ and his Gospel" the Pope said and he urged the Nuncios to continue to be “witnesses of communion, helping to overcome tensions and misunderstandings and the temptation of particularism, and to strengthen a sense of belonging to the one and undivided People of God”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 27/9/2004 - Righe 30; Parole 403)