African Synod: colonization of Africa?

The announcement by the Pope, on 6 January 1989, of a Synod for Africa, came as a complete surprise to most Africans, laymen as well as bishops. The papal Synod initiative had been preceded by an attempt in the 1970s and early 1980s on the part of Africans to prepare a Council on their continent. In...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Exchange
Main Author: Heijke, Johannes Petrus 1927-2009 (Author)
Format: Print Article
Language:English
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Published: Brill 1992
In: Exchange
Further subjects:B Catholic
B Religious institution
B Africa
B Criticism
B Bishops' conference
B Religious leader
B Committee
B Africa Catholic church Bishops' conference Religiöses Ratsgremium Religiöses Oberhaupt Katholiken Criticism
B Catholic school
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Summary:The announcement by the Pope, on 6 January 1989, of a Synod for Africa, came as a complete surprise to most Africans, laymen as well as bishops. The papal Synod initiative had been preceded by an attempt in the 1970s and early 1980s on the part of Africans to prepare a Council on their continent. In the case of a Council, the initiative and leadership reside with the convening bishops. In the case of a Synod,the initiative and the entire organization reside with the Roman dicasteria. It was evident that the Africans had lost control of the initiative. On the basis of documentation of mainly African origin, this paper examines the contents of the central idea underlying the foundation of an African Council, and the reaction of Rome; the experiences of African bishops at previous Synods (the Synod of 1974 on evangelization, that of 1980 on marriage, and that of 1983 on penance and reconciliation); the preparations for the Synod for Africa; and the "Lineamenta", which indicates the intention of the Holy See and which is the first and so far the only Roman document to have been prepared for this Episcopal meeting. (Documentatieblad/ASC Leiden)
ISSN:0166-2740
Contains:In: Exchange