The Pope in Saurimo, kingdom of poverty and diamonds

“When injustice corrupts hearts, everyone’s bread becomes the possession of a few”. From Saurimothe kingdom of the diamonds, Pope Leo denounces the exploitation of bullies and the deception of wealth. The capital of the province of South Lundanorth-east ofAngolarepresents a living paradox. It is the extreme symbol of the contrast between geological richness e absolute poverty of the country.

The whole region is located in the heart of the most profitable mining area in the world, rich in diamonds and water resources but, despite these riches, the population increased following the arrival of migrants fled from the areas affected by the civil warlives in conditions of extreme poverty. Leone stops in Saurimo for a few hours: he visits a senior center (“wisdom of a people” to be safeguarded), stops to pray in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and finally he presides over the mass in the Saurimo esplanade, where around 60,000 welcome him, under temperatures of over 32 degrees.

The cry of the people against oppression

The humid heat doesn’t seem to affect those who have been waiting for hours. As soon as the Pope arrives on board the jeep for a tour of the area, there is unequivocal acclamation. “Today we see that many people’s desires are frustrated by the violent, exploited by the bullies and deceived by wealth”, says the Pontiff in the homily. “In the face of these evils, Cristo listen to the cry of the people and renew our history: from every fall he raises us, in every suffering he comforts us, in the mission he encourages us”. “We did not come into the world to die. We were not born to become slaves or slaves corruption of the flesh, nor of that of the soul: every form of oppression, violence, exploitation and lie denies the resurrection of Christsupreme gift of our freedom”.

Authentic faith and the rejection of superstition

It is Christ who “gives orientation and strength to the path”, who shows the way “not our urgencies, nor the fashions of the moment”, observes Leone who however warns against considering Jesus as “a provider of services” warning that God is not a guru or an amulet. “This happens when at authentic faith you replace a superstitious tradein which God becomes an idol that is sought only when it serves us, as long as it serves us”. The Saurimo region is also characterized by a rich culture of ancestral beliefs and of seven that also touch the Church. For the Pope there are “wrong reasons” for seeking God, “especially when he is considered a holy man (guru) or a lucky charm (amulet)”.

The meeting in Luanda and the appeal for peace

A reminder to superstition Leone also does it in the afternoon, in the meeting Luanda with the bishops, the priests, the consecrated and the pastoral workers. Emphasizing the importance of training, his invitation is also to deepen “serious personal study” to enlighten the faithful “saving them above all from the dangerous illusion of superstition”. Exhorts i seminarians not to be afraid to follow the Lord “in obedience, in poverty, in chastity” and in all clergy recommends not giving in “to arrogance and self-referentiality”, to avoid “the search for privileges” and “not to seek advantages” from ecclesial service.

The mission of the Angolan church

But above all, in a land that still bears the wounds of one civil warLeone asks to continue the commitment of pace. “Your loyalty in Angolaas it must be throughout the world, is today particularly linked to the announcement of peace”, he underlines recalling that in the past the Angolan Church has “demonstrated courage in denouncing the scourge of war, in supporting the tormented populations by remaining at their side, in building and rebuilding, in indicating ways and solutions to put an end to the armed conflict“. “Your contribution is commonly recognized and appreciated. But this commitment is not over!”. “So promote one reconciled memoryeducating everyone in harmony and valuing, among you, the serene testimony of those brothers and sisters who, after having gone through painful torments, have forgiven everything. Rejoice with them, celebrate for peace!”. Tomorrow the Pope will fly in Equatorial Guineathe last stop on his journey to Africa.