Keep hope alive, Pope encourages bishops of north African nations

March 02, 2015

Pope Francis assured a group of bishops from northern Africa that they have the full support of the universal Church, during a meeting on March 2.

The Pope met with members of the Regional Episcopal Conference of North Africa (CERNA), which groups the bishops of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. He remarked that the region has been encouraged in recent years by the “aspirations to greater freedom and dignity,” but also shaken by “outbursts of violence.”

The Pontiff paid tribute to the “spiritual patrimony” of the Church in northern Africa, mentioning the heritage of Sts. Cyprian and Augustine, and more recently Blessed Charles de Foucauld. He paid tribute to “the courage, loyalty and perseverance of the bishops of Libya, as well as the priests, consecrated persons, and lay people who stay in this country despite the many dangers.”

Pope Francis also welcomed several ecumenical initiatives in the region: the opening of Christian shrines to all people in Algeria; the 50th anniversary of the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Tunisia; the Al Mowafaqa Ecumenical Institute in Morocco

In their own pastoral letter, presented to Pope Francis, the bishops of CERNA said that they had not given up the hope that was roused by the “Arab Spring.” Recognizing the turmoil in their region, they said that the quest for democracy would not be simple or quick, and “any attempt to copy or impose existing models would be futile and inappropriate.” But they said that they feel called to be “servants of hope” for the people of northern Africa.

 

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Further information:

• To the prelates of North Africa: always be men of hope (VIS)
• "Do not lose hope aroused by the Arab Spring", say the Bishops of North Africa (Fides)