As it is, in a recession such as the one we are going through now, the tensions and contradictions in the global economic system provoke the greatest difficulties for the weakest, and most innocent, sectors of society – the poor and the elderly; obviously, this is particularly true for Third World countries.
Upon his arrival at Nsimalen International Airport in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, the Holy Father forcefully underscored this scandal, “At a time of global food shortages, financial turmoil, and disturbing patterns of climate change, Africa suffers disproportionately: more and more of her people are falling prey to hunger, poverty and disease. They cry out for reconciliation, justice and peace.”
Located in central Africa, Cameroon is home to over 200 different ethnic and linguistic groups living in peace and harmony among themselves. The country is called an ‘Africa in miniature’ a reference to the sprawling ethnic, linguistic, geographical and religious diversity in this nation of 19 million people. The words of the Holy Father therefore resonated with particular strength from this representative nation.
Notwithstanding the difficult situation being faced by the African continent, it is important to note that Benedict, being a man of great faith, has included numerous references to the virtue of hope in his speeches. Hope, first of all, in the young, whom he sees as a precious and unique asset for the troubled continent, “Dear young friends,” he said to the young attending a Holy Mass at Luanda’s Cimangola Square in Angola, “you are the hope of your country’s future, the promise of a better tomorrow! Begin today to grow in your friendship with Jesus, who is ‘the way, and the truth and the life’… You will become wise and generous prophets of God’s saving love; you will become evangelisers of your own peers, leading them by your own example to an appreciation of the beauty and truth of the Gospel, and the hope of a future shaped by the values of God’s Kingdom. The Church needs your witness!”
There are, however, many other signs of rebirth in Africa highlighted by the Holy Father: new governments, a new willingness to cooperation, and a strong determination to combat endemic evils such as corruption and tribalism.
Let’s hope that Benedict’s historic visit to Cameroon and Angola may signal the dawn of a new era in Africa, and that all those promising buds of new life may blossom and prosper.
As friars of the Basilica of Saint Anthony we would like to nurture one of those buds with the project launched this June on the pages of this magazine, a project aimed at helping children orphaned by Aids and abandoned mothers. Over two million children have been orphaned by the deadly virus, and many of them have even contracted the disease themselves. Then there are all those mothers who are so debilitated by the disease that they are unable to help their own children. What can we do to help them?
First of all we must not remain passive spectators; then it is necessary to choose a sound starting point for our solidarity. An example of this is the modest but feasible project we launched this June – a feasibility which is characteristic of all our projects.
In short, if you haven’t already done so, we are inviting you to help us in the construction of a Family Home at Mbarara in Uganda. The Home will house 55 Aids orphans, 15 children with mentally-ill mothers, and 15 staff members, but it will also contain a clinic, classrooms and vocational training workrooms.
This is a modest yet significant sign of outreach to the poor. If you would like to participate use the form on the back cover of this issue, and be assured that your gift will be in safe hands.
Updated on October 06 2016