VATICAN - Letter from Cardinal Angelo Sodano to President of the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel: “Twenty five years later we see the fruits of this providential institution and the aid which thanks to it was distributed to the peoples in the Sahel”

Friday, 18 February 2005

Vatican City (Fides Service) - Twenty five years ago in Ouagadougou on 10 May 1980, Pope John Paul II launched a solemn appeal to help the people suffering the consequences of drought and progressive desertification of the Sahel region of Africa. A prompt and generous response from all over the world led to the creation of the “John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel”. “Twenty five years later we see the fruits of this providential institution and the aid which, thanks to it, was distributed to the peoples in the Sahel” Cardinal Angelo Sodan, Secretary of State, wrote in a letter addressed to the President of the Council of Administration of the Foundation, Archbishop Séraphin Rouamba of Koupela, Burkina Faso. “With its effective and intense activity the Foundation funded a considerable number of programmes which met everywhere with unanimous approval and appreciation for the results obtained” the Cardinal said adding that the Pope hopes this generosity will continue while rendering the benefiting communities ever more responsible for their own harmonious and integral development.
“Unfortunately, despite efforts by African governments in the Sahel region and the international Community, the situation in this region continues to be concerning - Cardinal Sodano wrote, and he re-launched on this occasion, the Pope’s appeal for continued efforts to overcome many problems and meet the many needs with regard to available resources, sadly and painfully insufficient. In particular he mentions of problem of clean water: “The Pope encourages efforts to promote a equal distribution of water resources together with adequate environmental programmes”. Lastly “the Holy Father formulates the wish that this anniversary may be an appropriate occasion to give new impulse to solidarity to guarantee the praiseworthy John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel the appropriate means with which to continue with success its mission of human and Christian solidarity meeting the needs of the poor”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 18/2/2005 - Righe 24; Parole 312)


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