Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service)- At the end of their Ad Limina visit 23 to 28 May, the Catholic Bishops of Burundi issued a statement in which they thank the Holy Father Benedict XVI for his warm welcome, for listening carefully to the pastoral experiences of the Church in Burundi and for his message which is a source of comfort in their concerns as Bishops.
The Bishops say they are aware of the problems facing the Church and the country in a context of fratricidal war which is however moving towards reconciliation and peace thanks to agreements signed by the parties involved.
To re-establish peace in Burundi the Bishops give some indications: reconcile hearts, rebuild economic and social structures destroyed by war, re-establish justice, serious fight to eliminate poverty, endemic diseases, malaria and AIDS, widespread ignorance and corruption, a relatively new phenomenon in Burundi and a cause of anxiety.
The Bishops also underline that “peace and national reconciliation in Burundi will never be reached as long as the country is weighed down by an exorbitant foreign debt and does not obtain a remission of this heavy burden from creditor countries”.
“The Catholic Bishops of Burundi make a pressing appeal to the international community to intervene urgently to sustain efforts to reach a lasting peace and a financial effort so Burundi will not fall again into violence and chaos as a result of desperation”.
The Bishops end their statement reaffirming their commitment “to work together with all who strive to restore peace and reconciliation among the people of Burundi” and this commitment will include “diocesan synods on peace and reconciliation about to be started in the different dioceses”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 31/5/2005 righe 29 parole 335)
