Skip to main content

All About Mary

Magisterial Documents: Ecclesia in Africa

John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia In Africa On The Church In Africa And Its Evangelizing Mission Towards The Year 2000 
September 14, 1995
The full document is available on the internet.

Brief Introduction

The exhortation is divided into seven chapters. The first chapter emphasizes the historic-ecclesial importance for the continent that results from the Synod for Africa. The second chapter focuses on the Church in Africa. It presents the history of evangelization and highlights current issues facing the Church in Africa. Social foci are presented, and positive values ​​are highlighted. Reference is made to the training of catechists.

The third chapter is devoted to the proclamation and mission of the Church, theological foundations are developed and the need for dialog is presented. The full human development is strongly emphasized and the use of social means of communication is encouraged.

The fourth chapter highlights the current challenges. The cooperation with families, the importance of education, and the dignity and role of man and woman are emphasized.

The fifth chapter deals with clear structures of evangelization and their bearers. The hierarchy is are called upon to implement these requirements and to use all available means.

Chapter six addresses the theological expectations and describes the areas of concern. The youth, the scourge of AIDS, the refugees, the high national debt, and the dignity of the African woman are discussed as examples.

The seventh chapter and the conclusion state once more that pastoral solidarity is a cornerstone on the way to the new Christian millennium.

Core Marian Passages

Prayer to Mary, Mother of the Church

144. In thanksgiving for the grace of this Synod, I appeal to Mary, Star of Evangelization and, as the Third Millennium draws near, to her I entrust Africa and its evangelizing mission. I turn to her with the thoughts and sentiments expressed in the prayer which my Brother Bishops composed at the close of the working session of the Synod in Rome:

O Mary, Mother of God

and Mother of the Church,
thanks to you, on the day of the Annunciation,
at the dawn of the new era,
the whole human race with its cultures
rejoiced in recognizing itself
ready for the Gospel.
On the eve of a new Pentecost
for the Church in Africa, Madagascar
and the adjacent Islands,
the People of God with its Pastors
turns to you and with you fervently prays:
May the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
make of the cultures of Africa
places of communion in diversity,
fashioning the peoples
of this great Continent
into generous sons and daughters
of the Church
which is the Family of the Father,
the Brotherhood of the Son,
the Image of the Trinity,
the seed and beginning on earth
of the eternal Kingdom
which will come to its perfection
in the City that has God as its Builder:
the City of justice, love and peace.

Outline

Introduction (1-8)

CHAPTER I: AN HISTORIC MOMENT OF GRACE (9-29)

CHAPTER II: THE CHURCH IN AFRICA
Brief history of the continent's evangelization (30-45)
Present-day problems of the Church in Africa (46-52)
Formation of the agents of evangelization (53-54)

CHAPTER III: EVANGELIZATION AND INCULTURATION (55-71)

CHAPTER IV: IN THE LIGHT OF THE THIRD CHRISTIAN MILLENNIUM
Present-Day Challenges (72-79)
The Family (80-85)

CHAPTER V: “YOU SHALL BE MY WITNESSES" IN AFRICA (86-87)
Agents of evangelization (88-98) 
Structures of Evangelization (99-104)

CHAPTER VI: BUILDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD (105-114)
Some worrisome problems (115-121) 
Communicating the good news (122-126)

CHAPTER VII: "YOU SHALL BE MY WITNESSES TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH" (127-139)

CONCLUSION: Towards the new Christian Millennium (140-143)


© This material has been compiled by Danielle M. Peters, S.T.D.
Copyright is reserved for The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute.
Most recently updated in 2019.

All About Mary includes a variety of content, much of which reflects the expertise, interpretations and opinions of the individual authors and not necessarily of the Marian Library or the University of Dayton. Please share feedback or suggestions with marianlibrary@udayton.edu.

CONTACT

Marian Library

Roesch Library
300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469 - 1390
937-229-4214
Website
Email

Study Mary

Study the theology and history of Mary at the University of Dayton.

Learn More

Keyword Search

Would you like to begin a new keyword search?

Get Started