U.S. bishops visit Africa to assess problems

Published: 2005-07-11

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y.(CNS) -- As he prepared for a 12-day tour of central Africa, Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, described it as a land marked by beauty and richness, suffering and violence, and also hope. "Anyone who has been there can tell you that is one of the most beautiful regions in the world" and richly endowed with natural resources, Bishop Murphy told reporters at a press conference in his diocese June 30, the day before his departure. He was traveling with Bishop John H. Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Fla., on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as part of the conference's continuing effort to forge closer ties with the church in Africa. They were to visit Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, nations that have all suffered violent conflict. Bishop Ricard is chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on International Policy and Bishop Murphy is a committee member.

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