Pope Benedict presents "Africae Munus"
Pope Benedict XVI's final appointment on the Feast of Christ the King was the Holy Mass he presided over in Cotonou, concelebrating with over 200 Bishops from across the continent.
To whom, following Mass, he presented the Post -Synodal exhortation: "Africae Munus," which he had already signed the previous day. Veronica Scarisbrick reports:
The atmosphere was prayerful but joyful in the “Stade de l’amitié,” the friendship stadium just outside Cotonou, the Republic of Benin’s economic capital on Sunday morning.
It’s a structure which can hold up to 30,000 people . But on Sunday to attend Mass presided over by Pope Benedict XVI there wasn’t space enough for everyone, 80,000 more spilled out around the stadium. An orderly congregation, not just from Benin but from different parts of Africa, eager to welcome the Successor of Peter. They came from neighbouring countries : Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso Niger. And the languages used during this mass were often local.
But the outreach of this mass wasn’t just local, it was to the entire African continent.
Two hundred bishops from across Africa concelebrated. They were here with the Holy Father , on the Feast of Christ the King for a special moment. One during which Benedict XVI would personally present them with a document: the Post Synodal Exhortation 'Africae Munus' of which he’d signed four copies the previous day at the Minor Basilica in nearby Ouidah. One in Latin, the universal language of the Catholic Church, and the remaining three in languages commonly spoken across Africa : French , Portuguese and English.
This exhortation I mentioned, is the concluding document of the 2009 October Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops which took place in the Vatican to discuss the themes of reconciliation, justice and peace..
Many of the African bishops who were present at the Stadium de L’amitié in Cotonou were the same who attended that Synod. There are 36 Bishop’s conferences across Africa, 7 regional Bishops conferences and a Special Council for Africa.
We bring you the Pope’s words in English on the occasion of this presentation of the Post Synodal Exhortation which took place following the Eucharistic celebration:
"One of the first missions of the Church is the proclamation of Jesus Christ and his Gospel ad gentes, that is the evangelization of those at a distance from the Church in one way or another. I hope that this Exhortation will guide you in the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus in Africa. It is not just a message or a word. It is above all openness and adhesion to a person: Jesus Christ the incarnate Word. He alone possesses the words of life eternal (cf. Jn 6:68)! Following the example of Christ, all Christians are called to reflect the mercy of the Father and the light of the Holy Spirit. Evangelization presupposes and brings with it reconciliation and it promotes peace and justice."
As well as those Benedict XVI pronounced in English during mass:
"On this feast day, we rejoice together in the reign of Christ the King over the whole world. He is the one who removes all that hinders reconciliation, justice and peace. We are reminded that true royalty does not consist in a show of power, but in the humility of service; not in the oppression of the weak, but in the ability to protect them and to lead them to life in abundance (cf. Jn 10:10). Christ reigns from the Cross and, with his arms open wide, he embraces all the peoples of the world and draws them into unity. Through the Cross, he breaks down the walls of division, he reconciles us with each other and with the Father. We pray today for the people of Africa, that all may be able to live in justice, peace and the joy of the Kingdom of God (cf. Rom 14:17). With these sentiments I affectionately greet all the English-speaking faithful who have come from Ghana and Nigeria and neighbouring countries. May God bless all of you!"
