Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The main celebration for the next World Day for the Sick, 11 February 2005, will take place at the Mary Queen of the Apostles church in Yaounde, Cameroon and it will reflect on the theme: “Christ, hope for Africa”. In his message in view of the Day Pope John Paul II explains that the theme will “offer and opportunity to show concrete solidarity with the people of that continent, suffering from serious lack of healthcare”.
“Many sicknesses afflict the continent, in particular the scourge of AIDS - the Pope writes -. Conflicts and wars afflicting no few regions of Africa render more difficult interventions to prevent and treat these diseases. In camps of refugees and displaced persons many lack even the basic food for survival.” The Pope appeals to those who have the possibility not to stop working to put an end to these tragedies, and to those responsible for arms trade he recalls what he wrote in the post-synodal apostolic exhortation “Ecclesia in Africa”: "Those who feed wars in Africa through arms trafficking are accomplices in hateful crimes against humanity".
The Pope returns to the tragedy of AIDS, which is also”pathology of the spirit": “To fight it responsibly, it is necessary to increase prevention through education to the sacred value of life and formation to correct practice of sexuality. In effect if many infections are spread through blood particularly during pregnancy... many more are spread through sexual activity and they can be avoided with responsible conduct and the observance of the virtue of chastity.”
It is the duty of governments and civil authorities to supply correct information about this disease and to assign sufficient resources to the education of youth and to healthcare. “Praise should be given to pharmaceutical industries committed to keeping down the prices of drugs to treat AIDS” the Pope said recalling with admiration “the many healthcare workers, religious assistants and volunteers, who spend their lives assisting people with AIDS and take care of their families. In this regard a valuable service is offered by thousands of Catholic healthcare centres in Africa which assist, at times heroically, people suffering from all kinds of infirmity, particularly AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.”
In recent years many countries and institutions have promoted campaigns of prevention and treatment and Bishops’ Conferences from other continents are called to join the Bishops of Africa “to help face effectively this and other emergencies”. “The Church’s attention for the problems of Africa is not motivated only by reasons of philanthropic compassion for people in need - the Pope continues-, it is stimulated also by adhesion to Christ the Redeemer, whose face she recognises in those who suffer. It is therefore faith, which prompts her to make every effort to care for the sick as she has done all through her history. It is hope, which makes her persevere in this mission, despite the obstacles encountered. It is lastly charity which suggests the right approach to different situations allowing her to perceive the peculiarities of each and to respond to them.”
Lastly the Message recalls that the World Day of the Sick offers everyone an opportunity to realise the importance of pastoral care of the sick and healthcare workers: “In Christ lies all hope for authentic and full health, the salvation He brings is the real answer to the ultimate questions of mankind. There is no contradiction between earthly health and eternal health because the Lord died for the integral salvation of man and of all mankind”. At the end of the message the Pope invokes Mary as "Cause of our joy": “joy which remains even amidst suffering”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 30/9/2004; Righe 44 - Parole 604)
