Rome, October 04: Pope Benedict XVI opened a three-week long synod on Africa Sunday, with a strong appeal against modern-day colonialism and exploitation of the continent’s wealth.
The synod is a mass gathering of bishops from Africa, where there are now thought to be around 150 million Catholics.
The pontiff warned against the plundering of Africa’s wealth, saying that although colonialism was ostensibly in the past it had “never quite finished.”
The resources of the continent have lead to exploitation, conflict and corruption, the German-born pope said.
He also described Africa as the world’s “spiritual lungs”, referring to its different cultural riches, spirituality and natural resources – but warned against the rise of religious fundamentalism.
The synod has attracted nearly 250 attenders, including 197 bishops from Africa, and was opened with a celebratory service in St Peter’s.
The pope angered many health charities during his first official visit to Africa, by saying the use of condoms could “worsen” the problem of HIV/AIDS.
—–Agencies