VATICAN - Addressing Catholic Bishops of Africa and Europe taking part in a special Symposium in Rome the Pope said: “a style of fraternal love is the significant witness which the Bishops of the Churches in Europe and Africa are called to offer to face the great challenges which demand a response from the Christian faith”. The Pope announces 2nd Special Synod of Bishops for Africa

Saturday, 13 November 2004

Vatican City (Fides Service) - On November 13, addressing African and European Bishops taking part in a special Symposium in Rome, Pope John II recalled the intense relationship of “constant searching for fraternal cooperation and solidarity” which linked Cornelius and Cyprian, Bishops respectively of Rome and Carthage in the mid 3rd century and he said that this “style of fraternal love is a significant testimony which the Bishops of the Churches in Europe and Africa are called to offer in order to face the great challenges in our globalised society which demand a response from the Christian faith.”
The symposium was promoted jointly by the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe and the Symposium of Bishops Conferences of Africa and Madagascar. The Pope congratulated them for organising such an event which, saying he was sure it undoubtedly help “consolidate and increase communion among the Churches of Europe and Africa, as they tackle problems of common interest”, as the theme of the Symposium underlined: "Communion and solidarity between Africa and Europe".
“Your Symposium fostered encounter and dialogue between European and Africa culture and mentality - the Pope said -. It is a question of valorising the different cultural traditions in a complementary manner to enable ecclesial Communities to tackle together existential questions such the understanding of mankind and society and operative pastoral areas such as evangelisation and ecumenical and interreligious relations. Moreover, awareness that you are engaged in the same mission of service to the Gospel in Europe and Africa will render you ever more attentive to the needs of the universal family of peoples.”
To fulfil this “urgent missionary task, it is indispensable to cultivate in the first place, prayer and personal contact with Christ” the Pope told the Bishops invoking the protection of Most Holy Mary, Star of evangelisation and the intercession of Saint Augustine of Hippo, “whose figure is like a bridge between Africa and Europe”.
Lastly the Pope announced his intention to “convoke a second Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa”, [first such Synod held in April 1994] entrusting this programme to those present and warmly encouraging them “to implore from the Lord the precious gift of communion and peace for the beloved land of Africa”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 13/11/2004, Righe 28, Parole 361)


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