Catholics are Standing Up Against Abortion in Africa Like Never Before

Never before in our times have attacks on human life and the family unit in Africa been more violent. Yet now the Church in Africa has been endowed with such human and spiritual resources to expose the Culture of Death and minister to a Culture of Life. Africa’s seminaries are full and ordinations are growing. Despite the onslaught on the family with massive contraception campaigns and aggressive sex education programs carried out by well-funded non-governmental organizations, Africa is not embracing the Culture of Death.

In most parts of Africa, the voice of the Church remains strong — unstained by the corruption of immoral ideologies originating mainly from the West. HLI’s Seminarians for Life International has been an invaluable in reaching out to students studying for the priesthood, educating them on the pastoral challenges they will face and the hostile political and social climate they will sometimes experience as priests.

After more than 10 years of training, mentoring, and support through HLI publications, materials, and training institutes, Seminarians for Life International has graduated a large number of alumni in Francophone Africa who have joined the battle for lives and souls in many ways. Some serve as hospital chaplains or high school principals; yet others serve as pastors in parishes spanning more than 14 nations.

On July 2, 2015, we concluded another successful Institute for Priests in Cotonou, Benin. Assistant Secretary General Father Pascal Guezodje from the Benin Conference of Catholic Bishops enthusiastically welcomed this necessary training mission: “The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Benin congratulates and supports you in the battle you wage for life.”

HLI President Father Shenan J. Boquet and Director of International Coordination Dr. Joseph Meaney joined us for the Institute this year, helping us to deliver a powerful message of the Gospel of Life.

Click here to sign up for daily pro-life news alerts from LifeNews.com

While the battle for life and family continues, we recall the words of hope from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI: “Africa is a spiritual super-power.” With God’s grace and mercy, Africa will continue to be spiritually stong — with strong Catholic leaders in the Church who glorify God by their life and their work.

LifeNews Note: George Wirnkar is the regional director of French-speaking Africa at Human Life International, and is the director of HLI Cameroon.