ACCRA JUNE 12, 2015(CISA) – Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments based in Vatican has appealed to bishops in Africa to “speak with one voice” during the forthcoming Synod on the Family.
“I encourage you to speak with clarity and with one credible voice and with filial love of the Church. Be conscious of the mission of the Church; protect the sacredness of marriage which is now being attacked by all forms of ideologies that intend to destroy the family in Africa. Do not be afraid to stress the teaching of the Church on marriage,” said the Cardinal.
The cardinal was speaking in Accra, June 8, during the meeting in preparation of the forthcoming Synod on the Family that run June 8-11.
The meeting was organized by the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) on the theme: The Family in Africa: What Experiences and What Contributions to the XIV Ordinary Assembly of the Synod.
He urged the bishops to speak out against national and international policies that are detrimental to the promotion of positive family values.
“The bishops,” he continued, “need to identify themselves with the truth and to get their political leaders on the continent not to endorse laws and policies that go against the sanctity of marriage and family.”
President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Joseph Osei-Bonsu pointed out that marriage is a union between a man and a woman and asked Africans to stay away from reportage in sections of the media promoting same sex marriage.
Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi, President of SECAM in his address during the meeting said that the Church in Africa should help in the integral development of the continent through promotion of African and Christians values.
“Africa will speak with one voice at the next Synod- we will present the challenges and successes of family life in Africa,” assured Archbishop Mbilingi.
In a Press Release sent to CISA by SECAM Director of Communications, Five Cardinals and 45 bishops participated in the meeting. The Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Archbishop Jean-Marie Speich was represented during the opening ceremony by Fr Gildardo Marin Acevedo, Secretary of the Nunciature.
The Synod on the Family will take place at the Vatican from October 4 – 25, 2015.
