Africae Munus Pope Benedict
POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION AFRICAE MUNUS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI TO THE BISHOPS, CLERGY, CONSECRATED PERSONS AND THE LAY FAITHFUL ON THE CHURCH IN AFRICA IN SERVICE TO RECONCILIATION, JUSTICE AND PEACE “You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:13-14) LIBRERIA EDITRICE VATICANA VATICAN CITY INTRODUCTION 1. FRICA’S COMMITMENT to the Lord Jesus AChrist is a precious treasure which I entrust at the beginning of this third millennium to the bishops, priests, permanent deacons, con- secrated persons, catechists and lay faithful of that beloved continent and its neighbouring islands. Through this mission, Africa is led to explore its Christian vocation more deeply; it is called, in the name of Jesus, to live reconciliation between in- dividuals and communities and to promote peace and justice in truth for all. 2. It was my wish that the Second Special As- sembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, held from 4 to 25 October 2009, should continue the work of the 1994 Assembly, “which was intended to be an occasion of hope and resurrection, at the very moment when human events seemed to be tempting Africa to discouragement and despair.” 1 The Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Africa of my predecessor, Blessed John Paul II, brought together the pastoral insights and propos- als of the Synod Fathers for a new evangelization 1 JOHN PAUL II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ec- clesia in Africa (14 September 1995), 1: AAS 88 (1996), 5. 3 of the African continent. It was appropriate, ten years into this third millennium, to rekindle our faith and hope, so as to help build a reconciled Africa by pursuing the paths of truth and jus- tice, love and peace (cf.
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