In my visits to Africa, the Holy Father said, “I have always been impressed by the faith and resilience of these peoples. As I commented during my trip to the Central African Republic in 2015, ‘Africa always surprises us.’”
“Bring out the best of you in these reflections, so that the result will be a surprise, so that that African creation that surprises us all can be born,” Pope Francis said in his message to the participants of the July 19-22 Congress that is focusing on “on what it means to be a vital church”
He an African saying to encouraged participants in the Congress to foster encounters, saying, “The wisdom of the African ancestors reminds us for this important call that ‘mountains never meet, but people do’. Let us continue on. Together. Accompanying one another, helping one another, and growing together.”
Pope Francis expressed optimism that what will be discussed during the Congress will act as good news to the poor and transform not just people but also communities.
“May a wisdom theology, as you propose, be the good news of mercy for the poor and nourish people and communities in their struggle for life, peace and hope,” the Holy Father told participants in the Congress that PACTPAN has organized under the theme, “Walking together for a vital Church in Africa and in the world”.
He concluded, “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.”
In an interview with ACI Africa ahead of the Congress, the organizing secretary of PACTPAN and the co-convener of the Pan-African Congress said the Holy Father would have a message for participants.
“All I know is that it is going to be a message of encouragement,” Sr. Mūmbi Kīgūtha said in reference to Pope Francis’ message during the July 14 interview, and added, “It is going to be a surprise for all of us; so, we are all anticipating.”
Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letters such as Laudato Si’, Fratelli Tutti, and Amoris Laetitia will inspire discussions during the Congress, the member of the Sisters of the Precious Blood (CPPS) told ACI Africa, adding that participants will also deliberate on issues about children and women in the African context.
Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.
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