31 October 2009
Kampala — POPE Benedict XIV has said the clergy can talk about politics, but they should not be tricked into giving political solutions because it is not their job Jean-Marie Nsambu attended the Synod in Rome and now writes.
THE clergy can talk about politics, according to Pope Benedict XVI.
He, however, cautioned the bishops from Africa to be careful "not to fall into technically political solutions," because that is a "competence which is not ours."
He was addressing the African bishops at the closure of their second special assembly for the recent Synod at the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican in Rome last Sunday.
Benedict said the theme of the African Synod, which revolved around 'reconciliation, justice and peace', was tricky as it bordered on the Church discussing politics.
"The theme itself was not an easy challenge," he said, citing two dangers. The theme implied a strong political dimension, "even if it is obvious that reconciliation, justice and peace are not possible, without a deep purification of the heart, without renewal of thought (a metanoia), without something new that can only come from the encounter with God."
A Synod is a council of church officials.
The pope said the political dimension is real, since without political achievements, spiritual changes are rarely realised. "Therefore, the temptation could have been in politicising the theme - to talk less about pastors and more about politicians, thus with a competence that is not ours."
The synod did not confine its debate to purely the spiritual world. Instead, they emphasised the need for the clergy to be realistic. The pope said the priests' language "must touch upon reality, but within the perspective of God and His Word."
The Synod Fathers talked about the problems affecting different countries in Africa.
The bishops concluded that while the world is facing a lot of contradictions, deep crisis, aggravated by inconsiderate developments in science and technology, the African continent was worst affected. They said the fact that Africa is rich in human and natural resources, majority of its people wallow in poverty and misery, wars and conflict, crises and chaos because of bad governance.
Bishops, however, urged Africans not to despair, because they can still attain the height of human endeavours and competence, as achieved by more stable and developed countries. The bishops pledged unity with all the people in various situations.
Ugandans at the Rome synod
Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala
Lugazi Bishop Matthias Ssekamanya
Gulu Archibishop John Baptist Odama
Tororo Archibishop Dennis Kiwanuka Lote
Kampala Archibishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga
Lira Bishop Joseph Franzelli
Jinja Bishop Joseph Willigers
Fort Portal Bishop Robert Muhiirwa
Kasese Bishop Egidio Nkaijanabwo
Dr. Deogratias Kasujja
Sr. Immaculate Nakato
Rose Busingye
Dr. Samuel Orochi Orach
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