Vatican City (Fides Service) - “Christ Hope for Africa” will be the theme of the 13th Catholic World Day of the Sick on 11 February in Yaounde in Cameroon. Recently Cardinal Lozano Barragan President of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of the Sick and Healthcare Workers made a preparatory visit to Yaounde where he was accompanied by the papal nuncio to Cameroon Archbishop Eliseo Ariotti . “The 2005 Day will be dedicated to AIDS patients in particular, - the Cardinal told Fides - and we have informed the Bishops Conferences all over the world”.
“The Day will comprise two days of study focussing on the pastoral care of the sick and theological study and the third day will be the Liturgical Celebration with sick people present. The programme is planned in collaboration with the national Bishops’ Conferences. In Cameroon the event was warmly welcomed, particularly by the Minister of Health who is a Catholic and the Prime minister and we will work together to prepare an event which we hope will bear lasting fruit” Cardinal Barragan, concluded. (AP) (29/7/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:18; Parole:198)