Pope’s Mission Intention for November 2011

November 01, 2011: The mission intention of Pope Benedict XVI for the month of November 2011: Justice and Reconciliation in Africa. That the African continent may find strength in Christ to pursue justice and reconciliation as set forth by the second Synod of African Bishops.

The special synod of African Bishops held in 2009 in Rome has its theme: The church is Africa in Service of Reconciliation, Justice, and Peace.’ Pope Benedict asks us to pray this month that the graces of that Synod may spread throughout Africa.

The Synod had noted then that in spite of science and technology making giant steps in all aspects of life, Africa is still suffering from the tragic situations of refugees, abject poverty, disease and hunger.

Policies of many of the developed nations actually lie behind the tragedy of African suffering. At the Synod, African bishops pleaded to the great powers to ‘treat Africa with respect and dignity. Africa has been calling for a change in the world economic order, with unjust structures piled heavily against her. Recent turmoil in the financial world shows the need for a radical change of rules. Many of the conflicts, wars and poverty of Africa derive mainly from these unjust structures.’

Heeding to the pleas of the African bishops and the Pope, let us pray and work for a just world, and help the people of Africa to find strength in Christ to pursue justice and reconciliation.