Pope tells African bishops work with Muslims can promote harmony

Published: 2006-02-20

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Working with Muslims in charity and development projects can promote harmony while also serving the poor, Pope Benedict XVI told bishops from four West African nations. The pope met Feb. 20 with the bishops of Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde at the end of their "ad limina" visits, which heads of dioceses make every five years. Pope Benedict praised Catholics in the West African countries for giving witness to the fact that "love for one's neighbor, rooted in the love of God, is an essential part of the Christian life." While Christians have an obligation to engage in charitable and social work, he said, "Christianity must not be reduced to mere human wisdom or confused with social service, because it is rather a spiritual service." At the same time, he said, "for the disciples of Christ, the exercise of charity cannot be a means of proselytism, because love is gratuitous."

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