(Bishop of Mbujimayi, Zaïre)
Introduction: The genesis of the Special Synod of Bishops for Africa". Requests and hopes expressed by: African laity, priests, religious, theologians, Bishops: to begin with, if not an "African council", at least an "African Synod".
Among the great promoters, the layman Alioune Diop and the Bishop Cardinal Malula, deceased in 1989.
Great Hopes and legitimate expectations of the Christians: We expect a great deal from the final Message, and of the nature of the orientation and structural propositions which will be made by Pope John Paul II.
Inculturation: Nature and Criteria: Considered in its globality, she is the sine qua non condition and the central necessity of being and becoming of the Africa Church.
One must avoid making this theme banal, and be vigilant in following the criteria given in the numerous documents of the Church for its accomplishment ("Instructions of the Congregation of ?Propaganda Fide? (1959); AG and LG, RM nn. 52-54).
The Function of African theology: Aims at accomplishing for Africa, the recommendation of Ad Gentes no.22. African theology desires to be "theology of inculturation". It is different from the many characteristics of "Western theology", of the Latin American and Asian theologies (Such is the position of the Ecumenical Association of African Theologians).
Terrain and domains for research and study
All the areas of evangelisation in Africa (Ecclesiology, rites and Sacraments, Catechesis, Spirituality, contributions by African Traditional Religion, hopes for Canon Laws).
Perspectives for After the Synod
- to promote a "good theology" to accompany the efforts of the African Church.
- to reinforce and encourage the institutions for development of ecclesiastic and religious studies.
- to foresee necessary new structures of thought and action.
Conclusion: The African Synod must have a happy ending.
Original text: French
