Africa Urged to Share “dynamism and enthusiasm” with the Universal Church

Archbishop Filomeno do Nascimento Vieira Dias of the Archdiocese of Luanda told ACI Africa that African Catholic communities should share their energy and passion with the global Church. Speaking after celebrating Mass for the 19th anniversary of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary, the Archbishop said the Church in Africa is viewed with great hope because many of its communities have experienced evangelization more recently.

Archbishop Dias said this recent evangelization results in different levels of enthusiasm that should reach the entire Church. He noted that the responsibility for Church vitality belongs to every baptized Christian rather than just bishops and priests. He described baptized people as living stones and as a lung for the Church.

The Archbishop connected this responsibility to a challenge made by Pope Benedict XVI during his 2009 visit to Cameroon. He urged Catholics across the continent to accept their role in passing on the faith and creating a more fraternal society.