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Church Must Protect Africa's Poor: Pope

Pontiff praises growing church but worries about 'superstition'

By the Associated Press

Posted Mar 18, 2009 7:36 AM CDT
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(AP) – Pope Benedict XVI set down strategy for his church in Africa today, telling bishops to protect the traditional values of the African family and to spare the poor from the impact of globalization. The pontiff, beginning his first African pilgrimage in Cameroon, also said that the exuberant local African rites should not "obstruct" the liturgy of the Mass.

Benedict said that while the Catholic Church in Africa is the fastest growing in the world, it faces competition from increasingly popular evangelical movements and "the growing influence of superstitious forms of religion." Today he met with long-ruling Cameroonian president Paul Biya, whom Amnesty International recently accused of seeking to crush political opposition. No details were given about the meeting, but the cardinal of Cameroon said today that Biya should not seek re-election.

Pope Benedict XVI, left, sits with Cameroon President Paul Biya as he is welcomed on arrival at the airport in Yaounde, Cameroon Tuesday, March 17, 2009.
Pope Benedict XVI, left, sits with Cameroon President Paul Biya as he is welcomed on arrival at the airport in Yaounde, Cameroon Tuesday, March 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Pope Benedict XVI talks to the media during a press conference he held on the aircraft on his way to Yaounde, Cameroon, Tuesday, March 17, 2009.
Pope Benedict XVI talks to the media during a press conference he held on the aircraft on his way to Yaounde, Cameroon, Tuesday, March 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Men wearing shirts printed with the face of Cameroon President Paul Biya wave a flag as they wait for the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI outside the airport in Yaounde, Cameroon Tuesday, March 17, 2009.
Men wearing shirts printed with the face of Cameroon President Paul Biya wave a flag as they wait for the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI outside the airport in Yaounde, Cameroon Tuesday, March 17, 2009.   (REBECCA BLACKWELL)
Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Cameroon Tuesday on his first trip to Africa, the fastest-growing region for the Roman Catholic church.
Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Cameroon Tuesday on his first trip to Africa, the fastest-growing region for the Roman Catholic church.   (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Crowds cheer and wave to Pope Benedict XVI as he leaves the airport in Yaounde, Cameroon Tuesday, March 17, 2009.
Crowds cheer and wave to Pope Benedict XVI as he leaves the airport in Yaounde, Cameroon Tuesday, March 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Pope Benedict XVI arrives at Yaounde's airport, Cameroon, Tuesday, March 17, 2009. The pontiff is in Africa for a seven day-trip that will take him to Cameroon and Angola.
Pope Benedict XVI arrives at Yaounde's airport, Cameroon, Tuesday, March 17, 2009. The pontiff is in Africa for a seven day-trip that will take him to Cameroon and Angola.   (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
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