Pope announces plans to convoke second African Synod of Bishops

Published: 2004-11-15

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II has announced plans to convene a second African Synod of Bishops to expand on pastoral plans outlined at the first such assembly 10 years ago. The pope made the surprise announcement Nov. 13 when he addressed participants of a European-African conference of bishops in Rome. The pope gave no date for the second African synod. Vatican officials said that, like the first synod, this one would probably take several years to prepare. A council of bishops has met every year at the Vatican to discuss and implement the recommendations of the 1994 African synod and the follow-up papal document, "Ecclesia in Africa." Sources said that a few years ago the idea of a second synod surfaced at a council meeting. African bishops were then polled on the idea, and most were in favor of a new assembly.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .