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Pope to call for African peace and reconciliation Pope to call for African peace and reconciliation
(about 2 hours later)
Pope Benedict is to present plans by the Roman Catholic church to encourage reconciliation in Africa, on the second day of his visit to the state of Benin.Pope Benedict is to present plans by the Roman Catholic church to encourage reconciliation in Africa, on the second day of his visit to the state of Benin.
The Pope will travel to the city of Ouidah, the symbolic heartland of Voodoo, where he is expected to call for respect for traditional beliefs but issue a warning against witchcraft.The Pope will travel to the city of Ouidah, the symbolic heartland of Voodoo, where he is expected to call for respect for traditional beliefs but issue a warning against witchcraft.
Ouidah is home to one of the largest Catholic cathedrals in West Africa.Ouidah is home to one of the largest Catholic cathedrals in West Africa.
Large crowds are expected to greet the Pontiff in the city.Large crowds are expected to greet the Pontiff in the city.
The Pope's day begins in the capital, Cotonou, where he will meet Benin's head of state, Thomas Boni Yayi. His first public engagement was at the presidential palace in the capital, Cotonou.
He will also be greeted by other dignitaries, who are expected to include some leaders of traditional African religions. In front of an audience of politicians, diplomats and church leaders, he issued an appeal to Africa's leaders.
"Do not deprive your peoples of hope. Do not cut them off from their future," he said.
The Church's reconciliation plans are contained in a formal apostolic exhortation entitled The Pledge for Africa (Africae Munus in Latin), which the Pope will sign in Ouidah.The Church's reconciliation plans are contained in a formal apostolic exhortation entitled The Pledge for Africa (Africae Munus in Latin), which the Pope will sign in Ouidah.
The document was drawn up two years ago at a meeting in Rome by Catholic bishops from all over Africa.The document was drawn up two years ago at a meeting in Rome by Catholic bishops from all over Africa.
Voodoo is recognised as an official religion in Benin, followed by some 40% of the population.Voodoo is recognised as an official religion in Benin, followed by some 40% of the population.
People across West Africa, especially Togo, Ghana and Nigeria hold similar beliefs.People across West Africa, especially Togo, Ghana and Nigeria hold similar beliefs.
Voodoo has none of the negative connotations it has in the West and many of those who are officially Christian or Muslim also incorporate some Voodoo elements into their beliefs, especially in times of crisis.Voodoo has none of the negative connotations it has in the West and many of those who are officially Christian or Muslim also incorporate some Voodoo elements into their beliefs, especially in times of crisis.
But Voodoo is more than a belief system, it is a complete way of life, including culture, philosophy, language, art, dance, music and medicine.But Voodoo is more than a belief system, it is a complete way of life, including culture, philosophy, language, art, dance, music and medicine.
Voodoo priests ask the gods to intervene on behalf of ordinary people but local adherents stress that they have nothing to do with sorcery or black magic.Voodoo priests ask the gods to intervene on behalf of ordinary people but local adherents stress that they have nothing to do with sorcery or black magic.
People here do not stick needles into dolls to cause misfortune to their enemies, as you see in some Western films.People here do not stick needles into dolls to cause misfortune to their enemies, as you see in some Western films.
It is intended to encourage reconciliation, peace and justice.It is intended to encourage reconciliation, peace and justice.
Pope Benedict is expected to call for elements of traditional cultures and religions to be recognised, if they are compatible with church teaching.Pope Benedict is expected to call for elements of traditional cultures and religions to be recognised, if they are compatible with church teaching.
However, he will warn people to reject magic and witchcraft, which the Church condemns for what it believes is their negative effect on families and society.However, he will warn people to reject magic and witchcraft, which the Church condemns for what it believes is their negative effect on families and society.
'Useless nationalism''Useless nationalism'
On the first day of his visit the pontiff spoke of avoiding "exacerbated and useless nationalism or tribalism" which he said could fuel deadly inter-religious tensions.On the first day of his visit the pontiff spoke of avoiding "exacerbated and useless nationalism or tribalism" which he said could fuel deadly inter-religious tensions.
He also urged Africans to avoid the "unconditional surrender to the law of the market and finance".He also urged Africans to avoid the "unconditional surrender to the law of the market and finance".
"Modernity must not cause fear, but it cannot be built by forgetting the past," he said."Modernity must not cause fear, but it cannot be built by forgetting the past," he said.
The Pope is likely to face questions about the Church's attitude to the use of condoms during his trip.The Pope is likely to face questions about the Church's attitude to the use of condoms during his trip.
He caused controversy on a previous visit to Africa, in 2009, by saying that handing out condoms could speed up the spread of HIV.He caused controversy on a previous visit to Africa, in 2009, by saying that handing out condoms could speed up the spread of HIV.
Africa has the highest prevalence of the virus in the world and his comments angered AIDS campaigners.Africa has the highest prevalence of the virus in the world and his comments angered AIDS campaigners.
VoodooVoodoo
One of the Voodoo leaders invited to meet the Pope, Dah Aligbonon, said he hoped the Pontiff would urge Roman Catholics to be more tolerant of Africa's traditional religions.One of the Voodoo leaders invited to meet the Pope, Dah Aligbonon, said he hoped the Pontiff would urge Roman Catholics to be more tolerant of Africa's traditional religions.
"I invite the Pope to tell his followers to stop acts of provocation against the Voodoo culture," the Reuters news agency quoted him as saying."I invite the Pope to tell his followers to stop acts of provocation against the Voodoo culture," the Reuters news agency quoted him as saying.
The cathedral in Ouidah was built on land which was originally a Voodoo "sacred bush" - where offerings are made to the gods.The cathedral in Ouidah was built on land which was originally a Voodoo "sacred bush" - where offerings are made to the gods.
It now overlooks a temple where the snake-god is worshipped.It now overlooks a temple where the snake-god is worshipped.
Voodoo is widely practised in Benin, where it has none of the negative connotations often associated with it in Western countries.Voodoo is widely practised in Benin, where it has none of the negative connotations often associated with it in Western countries.