A “moment of joy,” reaffirming the need for our “personal” commitment. This is how Card. Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, described to Vatican Media the Eucharistic celebration he presided over Monday afternoon, 27 May, in Rome’s Marian Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore on the occasion of the 61st Africa Day.
In his homily, Card. Parolin cited the words about Africa from Benedict XVI and, before him, St.John Paul II in the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Africa in 1995, highlighting the continent’s challenges, difficulties, and “contrasts” but also its aspects of hope.
“This celebration has a personal aspect for me because I feel close to Africa,” the Cardinal told to Vatican Media on the sidelines of the celebration, recalling, “I have been able to visit several countries over the years and have had contact with both the Church and governments and authorities.” “For me,” he shared, “it is a moment of joy to be here and share in the joy and prayer.”
“I believe,” added the Secretary of State, “that Africa must succeed on its own; it has the strength, it has the resources, it has wealth of all kinds, but it also needs sincere friends from the international community who work for the people, for peace, for reconciliation, and for development.” International community support, Card. Parolin emphasized, is necessary because the continent “finds itself in very difficult situations” amid many “very violent conflicts that cause much suffering to many people.” “Just think of the East of Congo,” he said.
While the Cardinal expressed his conviction “that there is a possibility to emerge,” he recognized that “the principle is always the same: the people and their well-being must be put first.” “If material interests are prioritized, then certainly people are sacrificed, and there is no chance for peace,” he said. “However, if there is justice, if there is access for everyone to even material wealth-and this is the task of both local authorities and the inter-national community,” he added, “then things can improve.”
From its part, Card. Parolin reassured, “The Holy See helps at the level of the African Church because we are one family, and also through the Nunciatures and through the direct interest that the Pope shows towards Africa.” “Where we can,” he insisted, “we try to lend a hand.”