The vast continent of Africa has had its troubles over the years - slavery, colonisation and exploitation by European powers, struggles for independence, tribal and racial conflicts, warlords with their private armies, floods, disease, drought and famine. Today still, the troubles continue. Only in the last few years we have read of genocide in Rwanda, continuing oppression in Southern Sudan (Darfur), tribal conflicts in Kenya, economic collapse in Zimbabwe. The list seems endless. And yet Africa is a continent of faith, hope and love as well. Both sides of these contrasting features emerged at the Second Special Assembly for Africa (African Bishops’ Synod) which took place in Rome from 4th to 25th October 2009.

The theme of the conference was “The Church in Africa in service to reconciliation, justice and peace.” And the scripture chosen to accompany this theme was “You are salt to the earth ...You are the light of the world.” (Mt 5.13,14) The agenda followed by the Synod Fathers was ambitious and, altogether 57 propositions were drawn up for consideration by the Pope, too many even to list. However, to give a flavour, the first proposition recalls that in “Ecclesia in Africa “ (EIA), the first Synod on Africa held in 1994, had been called “The Synod of the Resurrection and of Hope” (EIA 13) and asked that this second synod should be called “The Synod of a New Pentecost”. The document then lists 55 detailed propositions covering Church communications and communion, the ecumenical dimension, inter-faith dialogue, vocations for priests and the laity, the role and plight of women, politics and democracy, the environment and natural resources, justice and the treatment of prisoners, refugees, Africans in other continents, and many others. The final proposition, number 57, headed, “Mary, Our Lady of Africa”, concludes by saying “ The Synod therefore urges the Bishops and all pastoral agents of the Church in Africa and the Islands to commend their own ministries to the prayerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so that they may obtain the grace to be credible witnesses of the Risen Lord and, through their service of reconciliation, justice and peace, become “the salt to the earth” and “light to the world”.”

Courage! Get on your feet,
continent of Africa, land that
welcomed the Savior of the
world... Pope Benedict XVI

In the Pope’s homily on the final day, he took the story of Blind Bartimaeus (Mk 10:46-52), the gospel reading of the day, as one of his principal themes and compared him with the Church, especially the Church in Africa. “We think in particular” he said “of the brothers and sisters in Africa who suffer from poverty, disease, injustice, war, violence, and forced migrations. ...... they are like Bartimaeus who ‘sat begging by the road’ (Mk10:46) . “He went on to remember how the disciples told him to have courage and get up when Jesus called him, and how, when healed, he followed Jesus along the road. This he suggested is “the image of humanity that, enlightened by faith, sets out on the journey to the promised land.” Just as Bartimaeus becomes a witness to the light, so the Church in the world becomes “’salt and light’ in the midst of the society of men and the nations.” Referring to his own encyclical, “Caritas in Veritate”, he later added, “the Second Special Assembly for Africa ... has confirmed that ..... It is necessary to renew the global model of development in such a way that it is capable ‘of including within its range all peoples and not just the better off’ (Caritas in Veritate – 39)”.

The final message of the Synod is yet to be published, but an 11 page draft has been put out on the web (http://www.zenit. org/article-27314?|=english). The draft document notes that the problems of the Church in Africa are one with those of the whole Church and states in particular “In the area of reconciliation, justice and peace, the Church in Africa will continue to count on the effective advocacy of Church leaders in those rich and powerful countries whose policies, actions or inactions go to cause or aggravate the predicament of Africa.” It also acknowledges “deep appreciation of the missionaries .... from other continents who have brought the faith to most of the countries of Africa, many of whom are still working there. ...Some have even paid for their fidelity with their very lives.” At the same time it refers to “the many sons and daughters of Africa who have left home to seek abode in other countries.” Quoting the scripture “I was a stranger and you made me welcome” (Mt 25:35), it commends these to the pastoral care of the Church Family of God and notes that many of them are themselves missionaries, a blessing I am sure we all know about at first hand here in the UK!

The final word here, is given to Pope Benedict XVI. At the Angelus prayer time on 25th October 2009, he said “The synodal fathers, who have come from every country in Africa, have presented the rich reality of the local Churches. We have shared their joys for the dynamism of the Christian communities that continue to grow in quality and quantity. We are grateful to God for the missionary élan that has found fertile ground in numerous dioceses and that is expressed in the sending of missionaries to other African countries and different continents.” And then later, at lunch, “The synod ends and does not end ...‘Synodus’ means common journey. We continue on the same journey with the Lord....”