A WORD FROM AFRICA No.22
Reflections on the Pope’s Apostleship of Prayer Intentions
To pray for fine weather for the parish fete may appear to some farmers to smack of presumption. But that is hardly the case when we pray for a keener sense of justice and warmer charity in the hearts of those whose decisions can affect the living or dying of millions of people.
If, as appears all too likely, the severe droughts, which have threatened starvation to millions here in Africa, are indeed aggravated by global warming: and if the financial aid which is promised - and in some cases already given - to the poorest nations, means little for the future, without fairer trading conditions, then surely we should be praying that the minds and hearts of those in power - and not just the enlightened few - may find the courage and political will to put into effect measures which can affect the fate and future of a whole generation.
The conference of world leaders at Gleneagles was fine up to a point, but unless we keep pressing for more long-sighted attention to the world’s climate, at some cost to the first world economies, and ensure more urgency in dealing with such hurdles as subsidies in the trade talks to be restarted in Geneva in April, the future of Africa is bound to remain bleak
At the same time, here in Africa too, there has to be a continual conversion of minds and hearts, which calls for our constant prayer. The Pope’s intentions - as is so often the case - apply even more pressingly and poignantly to our people here than elsewhere, for the building up of a peaceful and prosperous society. The rights of women, the growth of peace and justice, loving care of the youngest and the oldest, and the healing treatment of prisoners - all are concerns which deeply affect the well-being of African life and society, and should give some clear spiritual objectives to our prayer of Eastertide.
James Fitzsimons SJ
To pray for fine weather for the parish fete may appear to some farmers to smack of presumption. But that is hardly the case when we pray for a keener sense of justice and warmer charity in the hearts of those whose decisions can affect the living or dying of millions of people.
If, as appears all too likely, the severe droughts, which have threatened starvation to millions here in Africa, are indeed aggravated by global warming: and if the financial aid which is promised - and in some cases already given - to the poorest nations, means little for the future, without fairer trading conditions, then surely we should be praying that the minds and hearts of those in power - and not just the enlightened few - may find the courage and political will to put into effect measures which can affect the fate and future of a whole generation.
The conference of world leaders at Gleneagles was fine up to a point, but unless we keep pressing for more long-sighted attention to the world’s climate, at some cost to the first world economies, and ensure more urgency in dealing with such hurdles as subsidies in the trade talks to be restarted in Geneva in April, the future of Africa is bound to remain bleak
At the same time, here in Africa too, there has to be a continual conversion of minds and hearts, which calls for our constant prayer. The Pope’s intentions - as is so often the case - apply even more pressingly and poignantly to our people here than elsewhere, for the building up of a peaceful and prosperous society. The rights of women, the growth of peace and justice, loving care of the youngest and the oldest, and the healing treatment of prisoners - all are concerns which deeply affect the well-being of African life and society, and should give some clear spiritual objectives to our prayer of Eastertide.
James Fitzsimons SJ