The Pope has handed over the Post-Synodol Apostolic Exhortation to the Bishops' of
Africa at a mass in Cotonou.
These are the Holy Father's words translated
into English
Your Eminences, Dear Brother Bishops and Priests, Dear
Brothers and Sisters,
In the course of this solemn liturgical celebration,
we have given thanks to the Lord for the gift of the Second Special Assembly for Africa
of the Synod of Bishops, which met in October 2009 to discuss the theme: The Church
in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, of Justice and Peace: ‘You are the salt of
the earth… you are the light of the world’ (Mt 5:13-14). I thank all of
the Synod Fathers for their contribution to this Assembly. My gratitude goes as well
to the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, Archbishop Nikola Eterović, for
the results achieved and for the greeting which he has just addressed in your name. Yesterday
I signed the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Africae Munus. Today I am
happy to offer it to each of the Particular Churches through you, the Presidents of
the Episcopal Conferences of Africa – both national and regional - and through the
Presidents of the Synods of the Eastern Catholic Churches. Upon the reception of
this Exhortation, the phase of assimilation and application of its theological, ecclesiological,
spiritual and pastoral data begins at the local level. This text seeks to promote,
encourage and consolidate the various local initiatives already in place. It seeks
as well to inspire other initiatives for the upbuilding of the Catholic Church in
Africa.
[in English] One of the first missions of the Church is
the proclamation of Jesus Christ and his Gospel ad gentes, that is the evangelization
of those at a distance from the Church in one way or another. I hope that this Exhortation
will guide you in the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus in Africa. It is not
just a message or a word. It is above all openness and adhesion to a person: Jesus
Christ the incarnate Word. He alone possesses the words of life eternal (cf. Jn
6:68)! Following the example of Christ, all Christians are called to reflect the
mercy of the Father and the light of the Holy Spirit. Evangelization presupposes
and brings with it reconciliation and it promotes peace and justice.