Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
27 June 2008
Dar es Salaam — Experts in biblical pastoral ministry from all over the world are meeting here for the Seventh Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Biblical Federation (CBF).
The meeting, under the theme 'Word of God - Source of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace', attracted about 240 Bible specialists from over 80 countries. It is the first time in the nearly 40-year history of CBF that the organization is holding its meeting in Africa. It runs from June 24 to July 3.
Every six years, the more than 320 member organizations of the Catholic Biblical Federation meet for their Plenary Assembly. The regular meetings offer a place of encounter and exchange of biblical pastoral specialists and assets from all over the world, CBF said in a statement.
During the Plenary Assembly, committee members are elected and the ongoing work of the federation discussed. The assembly is also an opportunity for exchanges on relevant biblical pastoral themes and ideas, building of international networks and planning of new initiatives.
The event was officially opened on Wednesday with a Eucharistic liturgy presided over by Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, archbishop of Dar es Salaam. There were more than 20 bishops, among them bishops Juda Thaddaeus Ruwai'chi, president of the Tanzanian Episcopal Conference, and Vincenzo Paglia, president of the CBF.
Cardinal Pengo's homily, reflecting on the narrative of the Tower of Babel, affirmed that true reconciliation between human beings can not be achieved without reconciliation between human beings and God.
The Beatitudes point to the fundamental attitudes necessary for authentic reconciliation and justice, including the equitable sharing of humanity's resources. St. Paul's pressing appeal for reconciliation and peace between peoples is of continuing relevance, not only on the African continent, but in the entire world.
Following a ceremony of enthronement of the Bible, Bishop Arturo Bastes, moderator of the CBF executive committee, officially opened the Plenary Assembly. Words of welcome were spoken by Bishop Ruwai'chi and the Apostolic Nuncio in Tanzania, Archbishop Joseph Chennoth, who insisted upon the necessity of open and respectful dialogue as a prerequisite for reconciliation, justice and peace.
The key speaker was Pius Msekwa, former Speaker of the Tanzanian Parliament and Vice Chairman of the ruling CCM party. Recognizing the importance of the assembly devoted to the power of the Word of God in transforming society, Mr. Msekwa spoke at length on the challenges of the African context, specifically for the Church.
The decimating effects of poverty and undernourishment, in addition to the weight of colonial exploitation and ethnic conflicts and the violence that mushrooms from this seedbed seem to characterize a situation without hope, he said. The Church must seek to contribute to the healing of the situation.
CBF president Bishop Paglia reminded the participants of the close link between the CBF Plenary Assembly and the upcoming Bishops' Synod in Rome on "The Word of God in the Life and the Mission of the Church", on the one hand, and the Special African Synod planned for 2009, on the other hand. Being attentive to the concrete African context will change our way of reading and understanding the Scriptures, said Bishop Paglia.
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