Cardinal Tagle to SECAM: Lasting security is attained when we treat each other as brothers and sisters.

Paul Samasumo – Vatican City.

The Pro-Prefect of the Section for Evangelisation of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelisation has said the ecclesial and pastoral communion generated within the continent of Africa and the Islands, through SECAM, contributes to security on the continent.

Speaking off the cuff, Cardinal Tagle said the theme chosen for the SECAM Plenary Assembly was rich and provocative. SECAM is meeting to consider the topic, “Ownership of SECAM: Security and Migration in Africa and the Islands.”

Also present at SECAM’s opening ceremonies were Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo, civic and traditional leaders, and delegations of the Catholic faithful drawn from Ghana and the African continent.

Good to be with brothers and sisters

“Your Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, dear brothers and sisters, I bring you warm greetings of unity and peace from His Holiness Pope Francis and the Dicastery for Evangelisation. It is good to be here in Accra. It is good to witness the nineteenth Plenary Assembly of SECAM. It is good to be with brothers, sisters and people of goodwill,” Cardinal Tagle told SECAM delegates.

A militarised world is an insecure world

“It is sad to note that security is often militarised and ideologised. The more that happens, the more insecure the world is. Please show to the continent and to the world that true, sustainable and lasting security comes when human beings are treated as brothers and sisters, when we share their joys and pains, when we value and protect each one’s dignity when each one has access to the goods of the earth, and the basic needs for human growth, when migrants and refugees, forced to leave their homes due to poverty, violence and environmental disasters are welcomed, protected and integrated into our communities. This is communion. This is true security. May SECAM be a sign and instrument of communion that promotes authentic and lasting security!” said Cardinal Tagle.

SECAM’s communion contributes to security

Cardinal Tagle further praised the ecclesial and pastoral communion fostered by SECAM on the continent of Africa and the Islands. He said this was an essential contribution to security on the continent.

“SECAM, like other ecclesial and pastoral bodies on the diocesan, national, continental and universal levels, is a sign and instrument of communion. Communion, while a gift, is also a human task and responsibility. We need to choose communion for it to happen. Each one contributes to communion. Each one benefits from communion. A SECAM owned and supported by all members will serve and strengthen all members,” Cardinal Tagle said.