Pope calls for sustainable human development in West Africa

By Sr. Francine-Marie Cooper, ISSM

In a letter sent on Friday to Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Pope Francis extended his greetings to “the representatives of International and National Institutions, and to all the participants commemorating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel.”

The John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel was established by Pope St. John Paul II in 1984, after his first Apostolic Journey to Africa, where he personally saw the tragedy of the populations put to the test by drought and desertification.

“The John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel was established and erected by the saintly Pope, so that his appeal remains an effective sign of the Church's love for her sons and daughters in West Africa,” Pope Francis wrote.

He reassured that the Holy See “follows with particular interest the Foundation through the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.”

‘External deserts can reflect internal deserts’

Quoting his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis emphasized that, “external deserts can reflect internal deserts, and ‘the way in which man treats the environment influences the way he treats himself and vice versa’.”

The Holy Father wrote that our every “action of solidarity and responsibility stems from our faith in God the creator and our love for our neighbour.”

“How can we contribute to eliminating or at least alleviating their marginalization and suffering?” he asked.

“The people of God must be at the forefront, always and everywhere, to respond to the silent cry of the countless poor around the world, especially in the Sahel, to give them a voice, to defend them, and to stand in solidarity with them in the face of so much hypocrisy and so many unfulfilled promises.”

West Africa still suffering under crisis

Pope Francis called to mind that some countries in the region of West Africa are still suffering various crises that threaten peace and stability, security and development.

“These phenomena related to terrorism, economic precariousness, climate change, and intercommunal strife exacerbate the vulnerability of states and the poverty of citizens, resulting in the migration of youth,” he added.

“This context makes the Foundation's task increasingly difficult but also increasingly indispensable.”

‘It is no longer time to wait, action must be taken!’

The Pope reiterated the appeal of his predecessor, Pope St. John Paul II, and asked that all people of good will throughout the world “work for security, justice, and peace in the Sahel!”

And he emphasized: “It is no longer time to wait, action must be taken!”

Every human being has the fundamental right to live in dignity and to fully flourish, Pope Francis recalled.

He concluded the letter by expressing his hope that the “commemoration of the establishment of the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel will identify, promote, and implement, with determination, all the necessary initiatives for the construction of justice and peace for integral and sustainable human development of all the populations of the Sahel.”