LUANDA, Angola, OCT. 29, 2010 (Zenit.org).- After a week-long visit to Angola, Cardinal Franc Rodé spoke highly of the country’s progress, noting that it could be a “totally different nation” in a few years.
The prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, who arrived Oct. 22 in Luanda, went as Benedict XVI’s special envoy.
The visit was made in response to an invitation of the Conferences of Men and Women Religious of Angola, which this year celebrated the 20th anniversary of their creation.
The cardinal said that he was “pleased with the results obtained,” and that he had “good impressions of the country,” reported the Angolan agency Angop.
He reaffirmed the collaboration of the Church in the country’s “spiritual and material progress.”
On Monday, the prelate visited the Marian shrine of Muxima, in the province of Bengo, north of Luanda.
He was greeted by a multitude of Catholics, and reminded them of “the importance to have the Virgin Mary as example of adherence to the Lord’s service.”
Humility
The previous afternoon, Cardinal Rodé celebrated Mass in the church of Our Lady of Fatima in Luanda, and encouraged the religious to cultivate humility, which, he said, “is an important value.”
He also pointed out “the need each one has to speak with Christ without being ashamed.”
On Wednesday, the prelate met with Assuncao dos Anjos, Angolan minister of foreign affairs, in the presence of the apostolic nuncio in the country, Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa, and top government officials.
The meeting participants highlighted the good relations between Angola and the Holy See.
Among the challenges facing the Church in Angola addressed in the meeting, the papal envoy referred to the question of the proliferation of churches that, he said, “does not only affect this country,” but is “the result of different cultures of the present-day world.”
“Proliferation has always existed, but today, perhaps, with a bit more force,” the prelate said. “It is the result of having to live in a multicultural society that does not have strong internal cohesion.”
Cardinal Rodé also visited Lubango, in the province of Huila, where he went to the shrine of Our Lady of the Mountain and met with the local bishop.
