Pope tells Burundi's bishops proclaiming Gospel includes reconciling

Published: 2005-05-31

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Proclaiming the Gospel in Burundi includes working to bring healing and reconciliation after the civil war and supporting the restoration of democracy, Pope Benedict XVI told the country's bishops. Meeting the bishops May 28, the pope praised their efforts on behalf of "the promotion of peace and reconciliation in the country, especially in this period of electoral rounds." The bishops were at the Vatican for their "ad limina" visits, which take place every five years. Bishop Jean Ntagwarara of Bubanza, president of the bishops' conference, told the Vatican's Fides missionary news agency that a Catholic priest had been named spokesman of the national electoral commission and that priests and religious had been appointed to most regional election committees. "These people represent the church in Burundi, not themselves," he said. "The people trust the church and so the country's political parties are certain that the presence of our representatives in the electoral commissions will guarantee fair elections."

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