VATICAN - Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe continues his Pastoral in Sudan: “The whole Church is with you and sustains you with faith and charity”

Vatican City (Fides Service) -Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe continues his pastoral visit to the Church in Sudan. On Saturday 18 February he visited a refugee camp in Jabarona and later had a meeting with the catechists of the archdiocese of Khartoum. “I wish to begin by expressing our deep thanks for the great contribution you have made and continue to make towards the growth of the Church in this area, he told them, Without this contribution, perhaps the story of the Church in the Sudan would be quite different today. Indeed, without the active participation of so many catechists, lay leaders, and men and women of deep faith, you would not now be reaping the fruits of the seeds the missionaries sowed in this region. And as I encourage you, I also wish to take this opportunity today to invite you to continue to "give your hands and hearts to Christ" and make sure that his mission continues”. In his address Card. Sepe spoke of the identity and role of catechists in the Church and in the world: “your role is to be salt and leaven in the Church and in the world and through the example of your life to continually renew and improve the life of all with whom you come into contact” the Cardinal said
The last event of the day on Saturday was a meeting with the Bishops of Sudan including Cardinal Gabriel Wako archbishop of Khartoum and the chairman of the Bishops’ Conference Bishop Paolino Lukudu Loro. The papal nuncio Archbishop Dominique Mamberti was also present. Cardinal Sepe told the Bishops he had come with a message of solidarity and concern from the Pope and the whole Church with regard to the “the deplorable situation you encounter in your pastoral ministry”. “I want to assure you that the Holy Father is following with particular attention all that is happening and continues to pray for your Country which has suffered a serious regression in the various aspects of life because of hatred, war and religious extremism. Yes, the whole Church is with you and supports you in faith and in charity”.
On Sunday 19 February the Cardinal had a meeting with the clergy, religious and lay people in Khartoum’s Catholic Cathedral. He said: “in the name of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples I wish to begin by expressing our deep thanks for the great contribution you have made and continue to make towards the growth of the Church in this area despite the long standing civil war, which has paralysed progress in the various spheres of life”. In his address the Cardinal reminded those present that Christians are called to permanent mission and service of the Kingdom of God: “You need to re-launch and give a fresh impulse to your missionary commitment in the Church of Sudan and society at large, where there is an urgent need of renewal and reconstruction in various aspects of life..” said Cardinal Sepe recalling indispensable values to be kept in mind: the Church’s mission is guided by Charity, it is rooted in union with God and is realised in unity and communion and needs co-ordination in pastoral activity.
In the afternoon at the Comboni Playground the Cardinal presided the ordination to the Silvestro Mogga Alexander. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 20/2/2006, righe 34, parole 496)