The
17th Plenary Assembly of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar
(SECAM) concluded in Luanda, Angola with a message focused
on the family and its current challenges: “The African Family, Yesterday, Today
and Tomorrow in the light of the Gospel”.
The
bishops express support for the family as the place where “the human person is
born, grows and accomplishes his/her destiny” and that it “is and remains the sanctuary of life, of growth and enhancement
of the human person”, recognizing that abortion is one of the “urgent
challenges” for SECAM as it interferes with “love for the welfare of the
family in Africa”.
In
regards to marriage and family the message states:
“Marriage and
family are intimately linked together…In Jesus Christ, marriage acquires its
true meaning. Inseparable link of love between a man and a woman, marriage is
open to life and procreation, as means of renewal of the society and the
Church, therefore it cannot concern persons of the same sex.”
The
statement makes it clear that the bishops are fully aware of the promotion of
an ideological agenda that needs to be fully opposed and it urges “all
the member States of the African Union to resist all pressures from
governments and organizations who want to impose anti-family policies on
Africa.”
The bishops recognize the efforts by some countries
to oppose the agenda stating: “We are
grateful to governments who, in the name of moral values and our culture have
dared to oppose such policies” and “We
do appreciate the efforts of public authorities in our various States for the
promotion of the family”.
Concern
is also expressed for those afflicted by conflict, those living in poverty and
on providing employment opportunities for youth.
The
bishops make an appeal to political leaders to defend African values:
“We appeal to our governments to
promote policies that respect African cultural values, justice, fundamental
rights of persons and families, including good management of the common good
and to improve the life conditions of our people, especially the less favourable.”
The bishops conclude their message with a strong call to protect
and defend the family as the heart of their Mission:
“The Future of the
Family is at the heart of our Mission. The Family is and remains the sanctuary
of life, of growth and enhancement of the human person. The family is a gift of
the merciful love of God. It guarantees the future of our societies. We are to
protect and defend it against all that could destroy its integrity.”
PNCI
notes that the growing challenge to the culture of life in Africa is led by
western organizations and western donor countries that promote an ideology that
is foreign to cherished African religious and cultural beliefs.