Vatican Wants Laity “to speak their minds” in Ongoing Synod on Synodality: Nuncio in Kenya | CPT PPP Coverage

Cryptopolytech (CPT) Public Press Pass (PPP)
News of the Day COVERAGE

200000048 – World Newser
•| #World |•| #Online |•| #Media |•| #Outlet |

View more Headlines & Breaking News here, as covered by cryptopolytech.com

The Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya who also represents the Holy Father in South Sudan described the Church in Africa as “alive” and “growing fastest”.

“It is in Africa where the Church is alive; it is in Africa where the Church is growing fastest; it is in Africa where we have most of the vocations,” he said during the February 15 event that was held at St. Mary’s Pastoral Centre of Nakuru Diocese.

The continent of Africa holds the future of the Catholic Church, the Dutch-born Vatican Diplomat said, adding that the Church in Africa deserves a fair representation in the Roman Curia.

“There are very few Africans in the Roman Curia,” he said, and added, “It might be very important that the Church of Africa which is so powerful and which is growing fast and which is the future of the Church be well represented in Rome at the decision-making level.”

Archbishop van Megen urged members of the Clergy in Africa to embrace diplomatic studies so that they can represent the Church in various countries as Apostolic Nuncios.

He said that the office of the Apostolic Nuncio requires a lot of flexibility from the diplomatic personnel serving in it as the ministry involves changing from one country to another and a shift in culture.

“If you want to do this kind of work, feel very welcome but be aware it is not only receptions and not only dinners as some of the people think,” the 61-year-old Catholic Archbishop who started his service as Apostolic Nuncio in Sudan and Eritrea in March 2014 and June 2014 respectively said.

As an Apostolic Nuncio, he explained, “you spend a lot of time in your office discussing issues, speaking to Bishops sometimes taking very difficult decisions.”

Archbishop van Megen also likened the duties of a Local Ordinary to that of an Apostolic Nuncio, saying that they are both required to make tough decisions and that some of the decisions weigh them down.

“If you work as a Bishop then basically you work in the kitchen of the Church; so, if you work in the kitchen of the Church, you see how the food gets burned, at times you see all the mistakes that are made and you see also the disasters that are built,” he said.