Religious leaders in the Central African Republic have predicted that the pope’s upcoming visit could reconcile opposing factions, three years after a Muslim-led rebellion plunged the country into civil war. “This will be a key event for all Central Africans, whatever their religious affiliations,” said Imam Omar Kobine Layama, president of the Islamic Council, on Oct. 22. “We’re hoping the Holy Father will bring a clear message about the unity of believers, interfaith dialogue, human rights and peace, which could really liberate us and help rebuild social links the various armed groups have destroyed.” Pope Francis will visit the capital, Bangui, on Nov. 29-30, after visiting Kenya and Uganda. Included in his itinerary is a meeting with Muslims in the city’s central Koudoukou mosque. The imam said Muslim leaders had asked Pope Francis to call on rebel groups to give up their weapons after U.N.-sponsored disarmament efforts had failed “to get the message across.”
Peacemaking In Central Africa
Show Comments (
)
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
The latest from america
A Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, by Father Terrance Klein
Pope Leo I helped to ensure that Catholicism would outlast the Roman Empire. His name is a reminder that our faith rises above contemporary politics and temporal authority.
The Gospel parable of the “wasteful sower” who casts seeds on fertile soil as well as on a rocky path “is an image of the way God loves us,” Pope Leo XIV told 40,000 visitors and pilgrims at his first weekly general audience.
“These proposed changes threaten access to care for millions of Americans, particularly those in underserved areas, where our member systems work every day to provide quality, compassionate care.”