Central African bishops call for U.S. help in peace-building

Published: 2003-11-17

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Bishops from Central Africa's Great Lakes region have outlined a plan the United States and other countries should follow to promote peace in their war-torn countries. Bishops from Congo, Burundi and Rwanda presented the plan to U.S. State Department officials Nov. 10 and discussed their proposal during a Nov. 12 symposium at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington. During their Washington visit, the bishops and a representative of the Southern African Bishops' Conference also met with U.S. bishops, who were in town for their fall general meeting. The U.S. bishops heard a proposal for a major effort to fund the pastoral work of the church in Africa. During the Nov. 12 symposium, the African bishops stressed that chief among their requests was increased support in rebuilding democracy and promoting peace programs.

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