The head of the Central African Republic bishops’ conference has said the country’s new president has a “real chance” of restoring peace and paid tribute to Pope Francis for paving the way to peaceful elections.
Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga of Bangui said: “Since the Holy Father’s visit, we’ve felt a wind of change blowing through our country – there’s been a total turnaround.
“He came as a messenger of mercy and urged reconciliation in our communities. This summons to peace and forgiveness was heard by former enemies and combatants and has now become something real, giving the new president a real chance for peace.”
Former prime minister Faustin-Archange Touadéra won 63 per cent of votes in the general election last month. He will be installed as president on March 30.
“We couldn’t have found a better person to take the bull by the horns and begin repairing our country’s fractures,” said Archbishop Nzapalainga. “He’s someone who truly knows the country and is served with good advisers. This election has encouraged us to place hope in the future and put aside our past of firearms, machetes and terrible destruction.”
Archbishop Nzapalainga told Catholic News Service that only someone with a “clear understanding” of the Central African Republic and the will to act decisively could heal divisions and overcome mistrust .
The archbishop said: “I believe the new president will gather our people from east and west, north and south, reconciling them with themselves and others.
“I also believe he’ll make justice possible for the victims of violence, enabling us to stand upright again and work together.”
Society is at risk if we do not protect marriage, say bishops
The bishops of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa have called on Catholics to defend traditional marriage and the family.
The prelates, meeting in Accra, the Ghanaian capital, also promised to defend the “culture of life” against what they described as influences from other nations that are offered as keys to development.
“We defend the inalienable dignity and rights of all persons, as children of God, created in his message and likeness; we must tutelage the rights of all, especially the most vulnerable in society such as those conceived [the unborn], the aged and the infirm, through earthly life to natural death,” the statement said.
“We in the Church uphold and defend that marriage is a gift of God created for man and woman, nothing more or nothing less, and that all human life is sacred and must be respected, accompanied and supported, protected and defended from the womb,” the statement said.
It added: “When in society marriage and family life … is not guaranteed its proper development in peace, that society is condemned to socio-political, cultural and moral instability.”
Bhatti could be declared martyr
The Church in Pakistan has begun collecting evidence that could lead to a declaration of martyrdom for Shahbaz Bhatti, who was killed five years ago.
Bhatti, allegedly the only Christian in Pakistan’s government at the time, was shot dead while driving to work. He had continued to speak out against blasphemy laws despite a stream of threats.
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