Mass Booklet Conclusion of Synod, St Peter's Basilica, 25 October 2009
The Church in Africa at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace.
“You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:13,14)
MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD
During the Eighteenth General Congregation on Friday, 23 October, the Synodal Fathers approved the Nuntius (Message), at the conclusion of the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, held in Rome, Sunday 4 – Sunday, 25 October 2009.
This important message was written in English, Italian, French and Portuguese. To read the full English text, Click Here.
POPE BENEDICT XVI HOMILY AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE SYNOD
Pope Benedict XVI Presided over the Celebration of the Eucharist with the Synod Fathers, at the conclusion of the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, in St Peter’s Basilica, Rome, on Sunday, 25 October 2009, XXX Sunday of Ordinary Time.
The Holy Father gave the following homily in Italian. To read it in English, Click Here.
FINAL LIST OF PROPOSITIONS
Pope Benedict XVI, and the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops authorised publication of the unofficial version of the 57 Propositions voted on by the 219 Synod Fathers present at the Twentieth, and last General Congregation, on Saturday morning, 24 October 2009. They included the following:
PROPOSITION 51 – HIV / AIDS
AIDS is a pandemic. together with malaria and tuberculosis, which is decimating African populations and severely damaging their economic and social life. It is not to be looked at as either a medical-pharmaceutical problem or solely as an issue of a change in human behaviour. It is truly an issue of integral development and justice, which requires a holistic approach and response by the Church.
Those who are sick with AIDS in Africa are victims of injustice, because they often do not receive the same quality of treatment as in other places. The Church asks that funds destined for those with AIDS be actually used for this purpose, and recommends that African patients receive the same quality of treatment as in Europe.
The Church vehemently condemns all deliberate attempts on the part of individuals or groups to spread the virus, either as a weapon of war or by their personal lifestyle.
The Synod offers encouragement to all Church institutions and movements who work in the field of health and especially of AIDS and asks international agencies to acknowledge them and support them in respecting their specificity. The Church urgently recommends that current research into treatments be expanded so as to eradicate this severe affliction.
Moreover, this Synod proposes:
The avoidance of whatever helps the spread of the disease, such as poverty, the breakdown of family life, marital unfaithfulness, promiscuity and a life-style which is devoid of human values and Gospel virtues.
A pastoral care which offers those living with HIV and AIDS access to medication, food, counselling for a change in behaviour and a life without stigma.
A pastoral care which offers orphaned children, widows and widowers a genuine hope of a life without stigma and discrimination.
A pastoral support which helps couples living with an affected spouse to inform and form their consciences, so that they might choose what is right, with full responsibility for the greater good of each other, their union and their family.
That SECAM develop an HIV / AIDS pastoral manual for all those involved in the Church’s AIDS ministry (priests, religious, doctors, nurses, counsellors, catechists, teachers) applying the Church’s moral and social doctrine in the different situations, where the People of God in Africa are facing the various challenges of the pandemic.
To read more propositions, Click Here.
Peter Jennings is a well known Catholic journalist, writer, broadcaster and PR consultant. Based in Birmingham UK. 
