Protect African values
Bishops appeal
Write-up by Damian Avevor
Members of the Standing Committee of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), have called on the people of the Continent and African Governments to commit themselves to the sustenance of African families and protect the fundamental values of their cultures.
“We reiterate our commitment also to the sustenance and promotion of the institutions of marriage and the family and confirm our unshakable belief in the sanctity of human life.”
In a Communique signed by the President of SECAM, Most Rev. Gabriel Mbilingi, the members of the Standing Committee said, the Holy Father’s five-day visit to Africa, would strengthened the faith of the peoples in the Church as Family of God and confirm us in our long-cherished Christian and African values.
It was issued at the end of the Committee’s Bi-annual Meeting at the SECAM Secretariat in Accra.
The Bishops denounced the terrorist attacks in Nigeria, Kenya, Libya, Burkina Faso, Mali, Lebanon, France and other parts of the world, which and claimed many innocent lives and brought sorrow and pain to many families and their countries.
They said “We condemn all acts of terrorism that have occurred in any part of the world and urge the perpetrators and their sponsors to stop,” extending their condolence and sympathy to all those who had been affected and the Government and People of such countries.
The Communique appealed to parties involved in the conflicts on the continent to lay down their arms and embrace the path of dialogue and peace for the sake of posterity, enjoining the Governments and all concerned competent authorities to create the conducive environment for the restoration of peace.
It applauded the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between SECAM and the African Union on August 19, 2015 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, noting that the formalization of the collaboration between these two continental bodies was a milestone which would enrich African history and the mission of the Church in Africa.
“It will enhance the realization of the vision of the AU in co-ordinating development through the collaboration of informed and motivated Africans themselves.”
The Bishops stressed that the intention of SECAM to contribute its quota along with others to the enhancement of peace, with the African Union, was borne out of genuine desire to participate in the work of realizing the authentic African Renaissance driven by respect for Human Rights, Justice and the Rule of Law.
“We express deep appreciation for the work done by the Secretariat, Commissions, Departments and our Local and International Partner Organisations who have helped us in realizing the objectives of SECAM,” the Communique added.
It called for further co-operation and collaboration from all Regional and National Episcopal Conferences so that the mission of the Church in Africa as a family of God, could be better accomplished.
Among the Standing Committee members were Most Rev. Louis Portella-Mbuyu, First Vice President of SECAM; Most Rev. Gabriel Justice Anokye, Second, Vice President and Archbishop of Kumasi; and Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Treasurer and Archbishop of Accra.
Members of the Standing Committee of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), have called on the people of the Continent and African Governments to commit themselves to the sustenance of African families and protect the fundamental values of their cultures.
“We reiterate our commitment also to the sustenance and promotion of the institutions of marriage and the family and confirm our unshakable belief in the sanctity of human life.”
In a Communique signed by the President of SECAM, Most Rev. Gabriel Mbilingi, the members of the Standing Committee said, the Holy Father’s five-day visit to Africa, would strengthened the faith of the peoples in the Church as Family of God and confirm us in our long-cherished Christian and African values.
It was issued at the end of the Committee’s Bi-annual Meeting at the SECAM Secretariat in Accra.
The Bishops denounced the terrorist attacks in Nigeria, Kenya, Libya, Burkina Faso, Mali, Lebanon, France and other parts of the world, which and claimed many innocent lives and brought sorrow and pain to many families and their countries.
They said “We condemn all acts of terrorism that have occurred in any part of the world and urge the perpetrators and their sponsors to stop,” extending their condolence and sympathy to all those who had been affected and the Government and People of such countries.
The Communique appealed to parties involved in the conflicts on the continent to lay down their arms and embrace the path of dialogue and peace for the sake of posterity, enjoining the Governments and all concerned competent authorities to create the conducive environment for the restoration of peace.
It applauded the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between SECAM and the African Union on August 19, 2015 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, noting that the formalization of the collaboration between these two continental bodies was a milestone which would enrich African history and the mission of the Church in Africa.
“It will enhance the realization of the vision of the AU in co-ordinating development through the collaboration of informed and motivated Africans themselves.”
The Bishops stressed that the intention of SECAM to contribute its quota along with others to the enhancement of peace, with the African Union, was borne out of genuine desire to participate in the work of realizing the authentic African Renaissance driven by respect for Human Rights, Justice and the Rule of Law.
“We express deep appreciation for the work done by the Secretariat, Commissions, Departments and our Local and International Partner Organisations who have helped us in realizing the objectives of SECAM,” the Communique added.
It called for further co-operation and collaboration from all Regional and National Episcopal Conferences so that the mission of the Church in Africa as a family of God, could be better accomplished.
Among the Standing Committee members were Most Rev. Louis Portella-Mbuyu, First Vice President of SECAM; Most Rev. Gabriel Justice Anokye, Second, Vice President and Archbishop of Kumasi; and Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Treasurer and Archbishop of Accra.
