SECAM: Gladdened by Pope Francis’ Closeness to Church Africa
Pope Francis with Sudan and South Sudan Bishops
Fr. Isaac Ojok
The Catholic Church in Africa is grateful to the Holy Father Pope Francis for his concern and love upon the people on the continent following the just concluded joint Ecumenical Pilgrimage of Peace to the Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC and the Republic of South Sudan.
In a statement shared with AMECEA online by the Secretary General for the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) Fr. Rafael Simbine says the visit of the Pope has generated joy and happiness among the people in Africa.
“Africa is happy and grateful for this 4th Apostolic Visit of the Holy Father to the continent. In fact, through his visit to these two countries, Africa experienced unforgettable days with Pope Francis”, the letter reads in parts.
Fr Simbine who comes from Mozambique further noted that the ecumenical pilgrimage of peace visit has shown the great love Pope Francis has for Africa even though weakened by violence, noting that the Holy Father came as a pilgrim of hope, to pray with the people in Africa for peace, justice and reconciliation.
“Once again, he (Pope Francis) has shown the great love that he has for Africa. Even though frail, he wanted to come to us as a pilgrim of hope, and to pray with us for peace, justice and reconciliation in Africa”.
The Secretary General went on to note that the continent of Africa is enduring multiple crises in the classes of political, economic, security and humanitarian with adverse effects on human existence, integral development.
Nevertheless, he added, Pope Francis came to stand in solidarity with the people in Africa and to encourage and advocate for respect of human rights and of resources, peace, reconciliation and unity following the footsteps of his predecessors.
In the statement shared Sunday, February 5, Fr. Simbine mentioned that, “Africa is experiencing varied crises which are affecting many levels of existence: political, economic, security and humanitarian. Pope Francis came to unite his voice to the millions of Africans and said: ‘Hands off Africa! Stop choking Africa, it is not a mine to be stripped or a terrain to be plundered!’ ‘No more bloodshed, no more conflicts, no more violence.’ Recalling the famous phase of Saint John Paul II, Pope Francis said: ‘African solutions must be found to African problems”.
The cleric further disclosed that the visit of Pope Francis to Africa as a father and pastor creates opportunity and avenue to reinforce the faith and confidence in the Catholics who even in the face of desperation, they still keep their faith and hope in Jesus Christ.
“He came as a father and pastor and in this capacity, he strengthened the faith of millions of Catholics, who despite many challenges faithfully keep their faith in Jesus Christ: they suffer in Christian hope”, said Fr. Simbine.
Furthermore, he observed that the Ecumenical pilgrimage of His Holiness to Africa and the compassionate words to the people has left historic path that the church in Africa must follow henceforth.
According to the Secretary General, the ecumenical prayer held jointly by the Pope, together with Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland has remarkably initiated and encouraged among the Christians the spirit of unity in praying and working together as one family of God.
“The ecumenical prayer led by three leaders; Pope Francis, Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev. Justin Welby and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Most. Rev. Dr Iain Greenshields, encouraged African Christians to be one: pray together and work together”.
He then concluded by thanking the Holy Father for His visit to Africa, a visit that came with message of encouragement, peace and strength in faith among the Catholics, praying that through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Africa the Holy Father may remain in good health during his pontificate.
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