Pope inaugurates African Synod’s first working session

(October 5, 2009) “The entire human reality depends on our relationship with God, and if this relationship is not correct, one can neither reach the goal nor the truth, for by hiding all vices such a relationship destroys social network and peace in the world.” With these words Pope Benedict XVI led the meditation of the opening working session of the Second Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa in the Vatican’s Synod Hall on Monday. The Pope said that man’s relationship with God may seem difficult or distant, but in fact God is near and is free, - “He is in us, in our hearts and on our lips,” he said. He urged the African continent to open up the borders of its tribes, ethnic groups and religions to love, just like the Good Samaritan who was able to go beyond confines of his land and religion and discover that the foreigner was his neighbour, i.e the one near. By opening up the restrictions that close in the world and create conflicts, the Pope explained, the Good Samaritan gives a concrete form to the love of the Gospel. Africa, he said, also needs to really open up the borders of its tribes