Pape François/18 march 2013/ Source casarosada.gob.ar
This file was derived/from: Pope Francis with Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner 7.jpg/Author Casa Rosada/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
News facts
From July 19 to 22, the second Pan-African Catholic Congress on Theology, Society and Pastoral Life is being held in Nairobi, Kenya.
Several dozen African theologians are meeting from July 19 to 22 at the Catholic University of East Africa in Nairobi (Kenya), on the occasion of the 2nd Pan-African Catholic Congress of Theology, Society and Pastoral Life. This year, the chosen theme is: “Walking together for a vital Church in Africa and in the world”.
“Sign of an outgoing African Church”
Pope Francis sent them a message of encouragement in a video shown to participants on July 19. “It is a sign of hope that theologians, laity, priests, men and women religious, bishops have taken the initiative to walk together, he rejoiced. Coming together to discern what God is telling us today, not only to respond with certainty to difficult needs, but also to realize African dreams (social, cultural, ecological and ecclesial dreams) is already the sign of an outgoing African Church . »
The 1st Pan-African Catholic Congress of Theology, Society and Pastoral Life took place from December 5 to 8, 2019, in the Diocese of Enugu, in southeastern Nigeria. It was organized by the Center for Global Catholicism and Intercultural Theology (Cwcit), DePaul University in Chicago and the Association of African Theologians, with the support of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (Sceam). .
“Africa always surprises us”
The objective of this congress is “to reflect on the faith and fate of our people, assess different pastoral and theological approaches and jointly develop some best pastoral practices for the renewal and reform of the Catholic Church in Africa”.
Postponement of his trip to Africa: the pope expresses his “great sadness” and “ask for forgiveness”
Pope Francis expressed his enthusiasm and recalled a phrase he said during his trip to the Central African Republic in 2015: “Africa always surprises us”. “Bring out the best of yourself in these reflections so that the result is a surprise, so that this African creation can be born that surprises us all”, he insisted. And to add: “May the Holy Spirit inspire you – may paths emerge from this congress that the Church needs: paths of missionary, ecological conversion, peace, reconciliation and transformation of the whole world. » He also wishes “May a theology of wisdom, such as you propose, be the good news of mercy for the poor and nourish individuals and communities in their struggle for life, peace and hope”.
Lucie Sarr
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