The intention is presented by the Apostleship of Prayer, responsible for making known the Pope’s monthly intentions and sacrifices, which are supported by those of thousands of faithful.
The general intention for March is “That the land, culture and all the rights of the indigenous populations of the world may be respected, so that true harmony between them and those among whom they live may be attained.”
The missionary prayer intention is “That, in Africa, cooperation between missionary Institutes and local Churches may grow, with respect for the variety of gifts.”
Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, published a commentary on this intention in Fides.
“Every particular Church or diocese in Africa has some problems and challenges which cannot be adequately faced if the various apostolic forces in the diocese are not harmonized and united in planning and action,” he wrote. If “duplication of effort, and the consequent development of parallel programs between various Church institutions within a diocese are to be avoided, then collaboration between missionary institutes and the diocese will have to be intensified.”
