{"id":4388,"date":"2013-09-28T22:02:00","date_gmt":"2013-09-28T22:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/african-catholics-stress-importance-of-bible-in-faith-life\/"},"modified":"2013-09-28T22:02:00","modified_gmt":"2013-09-28T22:02:00","slug":"african-catholics-stress-importance-of-bible-in-faith-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2013\/09\/african-catholics-stress-importance-of-bible-in-faith-life\/","title":{"rendered":"African Catholics stress importance of Bible in faith life"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Lilongwe, Malawi, Sep 28, 2013 \/ 04:02 pm (CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- Catholic African leaders met in Malawi earlier this week for an assembly dedicated to the Bible and to increasing the place of scripture in the lives of the continent\u2019s faithful.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cThe Word of God serves as a guide for faith and human activities and gives believers a style of life guided by the Holy Spirit in order to live the mystery of Jesus Christ according to Christian vocation,\u201d the assembly observed.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cThe Bible is a source of inspiration and faith in the family, among the youth, religious communities and societies when revitalized through daily prayers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tThe thirteenth plenary assembly of the Biblical Centre for Africa and Madagascar took place Sept. 17-23 in Malawi at the Archdiocese of Lilongwe\u2019s St. Anthony Major Seminary in Kachebere. The meeting\u2019s theme was \u201cLetting the Bible inspire all pastoral activities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tDozens of assembly participants from the Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar gathered, coming from as far as Egypt and South Africa. Many bishops responsible for the biblical apostolate joined them, as did representatives of the Association of the Panafrican Catholic Exegetes and other priests, vowed religious, and laity.<\/p>\n

\tTopics at the gathering included the Bible as an \u201caction book\u201d for pastoral work, Benedict XVI\u2019s post-synodal apostolic exhortation \u201cVerbum Domini,\u201d how to advance the apostolate amid the diversity of Africa, and biblical interpretation in dialogue with African culture.<\/p>\n

\tOne speaker reflected on lay people\u2019s concerns for democracy, good governance and development, while another examined youth formation and the impact of modernity and unemployment among youth.<\/p>\n

\tThe assembly focused on several goals for \u201cstrategic actions,\u201d including an increase in familiarity with the scriptures through lectio divina, Bible sharing groups, catechesis, and the liturgy. One speaker stressed the need to \u201cevangelize the evangelizers,\u201d while another focused on how to increase the availability of the Bible in translation.<\/p>\n

\tThe gathering said that the biblical apostolate is an \u201ceffective tool\u201d against \u201cthe invasion of sects and misinterpretation of the Bible.\u201d However, it lamented that this apostolate is not fully developed in many parts of Africa.<\/p>\n

\tThe assembly listed several threats to Christian practices, such as fundamentalism, \u201cpolitical Islam,\u201d and \u201cbad governance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tThe assembly resolved to strengthen networking and collaboration among Catholics working in the biblical apostolate and to give \u201cspecial attention\u201d to the pastoral biblical formation of Catholics. It resolved to promote the formation of biblical associations and to provide these groups with \u201call necessary help and guidance based on the Bible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tThe meeting pledged to discern the challenges of contemporary society, especially to respond to the questions and concerns of youth. It resolved to use modern technology to teach scripture in a way that will \u201ccapture the interest\u201d of youths and to make the Bible available in local languages.<\/p>\n

\tEvery bishops' conference should promote biblical formation, the assembly recommended. These conferences should set aside a specific period of time for reflection on the Bible, such as a special Bible Week or Bible Month.<\/p>\n

\tBishop Joseph Zuza of Mzuzu, in Malawi, delivered a goodwill message to the participants. Father Yves-Lucien Evaga Ndjana, the director of the biblical center, gave the keynote. Archbishop Julio Murat, apostolic nuncio to Malawi and Zambia, presided at the assembly\u2019s opening Mass.<\/p>\n

\tThe assembly thanked supporting organizations, which included Aid to the Church in Need, Missio Aachen, and the Pontifical Council Cor Unum.<\/p>\n

\tIt entrusted the meeting's outcome to the Virgin Mary, \u201cMother of the Church and Queen of Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lilongwe, Malawi, Sep 28, 2013 \/ 04:02 pm (CNA\/EWTN News).- Catholic African leaders met in Malawi earlier this week for an assembly dedicated to the Bible and to increasing the place of scripture in the lives of the continent’s faithful.<\/p>\n

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