(Superior General of the Congregation
of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Missionaries of Scheut)
There are in many Churches of sub-Saharan Africa a growth and dynamism for which we must give thanks to God. The ground is ready for authentic inculturation in depth, and quite a way has already been done.
But in great contrast with this dynamism in the Church, there is a bitter report of gradual failure on the part of the civil society at all levels. Today all the social indicators have reached an alarming level. Young people escape from the country towards the towns, and whoever can, tries by all means to leave the country the way one abandons a ship in distress. Many of our countries having a Christian majority are torn apart by implacable wars.
At international level, the continent is abandoned to its fate. And the image of Africa is that of a wounded person on the edge of a road after having been attacked by brigands.
This contrast between ecclesial life and civil life is disturbing. Consequently, in many countries, the Churches are the only organisations that remain credible and the populations in distress depend on them for great hope.
That is why the issues of justice and peace and, in particular, their development with evangelisation, will have decisive importance for the future even of the Church and her credibility. If many studies - and one can be pleased about this - have been done in the field of inculturation, very little has been done at a justice and peace level in view of destroying the vicious circles of misery and tribal conflict.
I would like to mention some recent contribution by missionary institutions, especially with regard to abandoning Africa and the situation of conflict:
- the presence and the maintaining of missionaries in the regions hit by misery and fratricidal wars is a sign of confidence and hope;
- witness of fraternity and solidarity among members of different tribes and nations within the institutions;
- sending young Africans, formed in Africa, as missionaries to other continents bears witness of the Churches of Africa not wanting to be isolated;
- the initiative of the religious institutions that set up in Rome a Commission for Justice and Peace and that have joined their forces to create a Euro-African Network for Faith and Justice in view of joint action in particular with the Common Market.
The extent and urgency of the problems is such that this requires action in solidarity. A suggestion for this Assembly would be to take a courageous stand without being complaisant and making an urgent appeal in a message to Christians all over the world.
Original text: French
