Speaking with one voice for peace and reconciliation in Africa’s Great Lakes Region

(Vatican Radio) Catholic Bishops are crossing religious lines and borders to lead an ecumenical campaign promoting justice, peace and reconciliation in Africa’s troubled Great Lakes region. The initiative, starting December 1, will see Catholic and Anglican clergy urging the population in the DR Congo, Rwanda and Burundi to practice love and forgiveness.

The message will be delivered through their Sunday homilies in churches throughout the three nations and is expected to reach more than half the region’s population of 90 million people.
Jean-Baptiste Talla is a Peacebuilding Advisor for Catholic Relief Services in the Great Lakes Region. He spoke to Susy Hodges and explained just how vital this new ecumenical campaign is:

Listen to the interview with Jean-Baptiste Talla:

Talla says the Great Lakes Region in Central Africa has been the scene of violent conflict for decades, leading to the deaths of over 7 million people. He notes that the Catholic Church, like other Christian denominations, has worked tirelessly to promote peace in the war-torn region but as he puts it, "each church was working alone." But now with this joint ecumenical initiative, Catholics and Anglicans can speak with one voice and reach a far wider audience of Christians with their joint appeal for peace, love and reconciliation.