Question 3.47

3.47 In 1969, Paul VI was the first pope to take a major trip to Africa.

For us it was unforgettable. In Uganda, he made this defining statement: “The new homeland of Christ is Africa.” Then he added: “You Africans are now your own missionaries!”

Paul VI considered us now the ones primarily responsible for the evangelization of our continent, and he encouraged us to take bolder initiatives. I think that he consecrated our vocation. Certainly, Africa was evangelized late. But if we read carefully the documents on revelation, we observe that the continent was always associated with the salvation of the world. How can anyone forget that Africa welcomed and saved the Infant Jesus from the hands of Herod, who wanted to kill him? How can we forget that the man who helped Christ to carry his Cross to Golgotha was an African, Simon of Cyrene?

“Nova Patria Christi Africa. …” By this historic statement, Paul VI intended to indicate in a striking manner how inseparable Africa was from salvation history. Later on, in his 1995 post-synodal apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in Africa, John Paul II made a statement that commits us to remain crucified with Christ for the salvation of the world:” ‘I have written your names on the palms of my hands’ (Is 49:16). Yes, on the palms of Christ, pierced by the nails of the Crucifixion.

The names of each one of you [Africans] is written on those palms” (EA 143).

These two popes called Africa to be a contribution to the spiritual life of the whole world. God does not abandon Africans, just as he does not abandon mankind. I think that Africa can, in the time of crisis through which we are going, modestly offer the religious sense that dwells in it. Africa can remind the Church of what the Lord expects of us; God always counts on the poor to stand up to the powerful. The African people, who preserve their innocence, can help societies in crisis to be humbler, more reasonable, more respectful of human life and of the meaning of nature. For God wants us to rediscover wisdom and humility. Africa knows that God always forgives, man sometimes forgives, but nature never forgives.