AFRICA/SUDAN - “A man of profound humanity and great spirituality and he is very kind” says Bishop of El Obeid who has met Benedict XVI personally

Khartoum (Fides Service) - “I am very happy for the election of Benedict XVI” Bishop Macram Max Gassis of El Obeid in southern Sudan told Fides. “This Pope represents continuity with the papacy of John Paul II. He will safeguard the authentic faith of the Church, fundamental for serious inter-religious dialogue” the Bishop said.
Bishop Gassis has met the new Pope in person. “Five years ago I had an appointment at the Secretariat of State. As I came out of the lift I bumped into Cardinal Ratzinger, whom I knew was Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He greeted me warmly and held out his hand. He asked where I came from and when I said I was a Bishop in Sudan he said: “I think often of your situation and I pray constantly for Sudanese Catholics”. Some described the new Pope as being aloof and cold. This is quite untrue. He is a man of profound humanity and great spirituality and he is very kind” the Bishop concluded. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 19/4/2005 righe 17 parole 190)