AFRICA/ALGERIA - “The new Pope is sure to be another Good Shepherd, close to those who suffer from war and poverty” Archbishop Henri Teissier of Algiers tells Fides

Algiers (Fides Service) - “In Algeria we heard the news of the Pope’s death with profound sorrow, but also with hope and trust in the Holy Spirit that the new Pope too will be a Good Shepherd for the Church and above all he will continue the work of John Paul II” Mgr Henri Teissier, Catholic Archbishop of Algiers told Fides on the eve of the opening of the Conclave.
“We need a guide for the universal Church - Archbishop Teissier said - a point of reference for the Catholics of the world, to give courage to those living in situations of war and poverty, like the people in Sub-Saharan Africa. The new Pope will not have an easy task. We hope the Church continues on the path traced by John Paul II; especially for the poorest of the poor the Church is Mother, the Church is the bearer of a message of peace and love. We hope the new Pontiff will continue with interreligious dialogue, to have special relationship with young people and to fight against secularisation. In Algeria Catholics live in a difficult context but we offer our contribution towards building harmony among the peoples and the religions of the world”. (AE) (Agenzia Fides 16/4/2005 righe 17 parole 178)