One of the places from which Africa's dictators have often gained legitimacy is the Vatican. The Vatican often overlooks much of the ills of these leaders by doing business with them even as these leaders put the lives of their own people in danger. Two of the most notorious Roman Catholic leaders in Africa are Paul Biya of Cameroon and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. Both of these leaders have been in power for the last thirty years or so and have been tragically autocratic in the process. However, the Vatican has been one of their staunchest enablers. Pope John Paul II who will be beatified this weekend came to Cameroon twice but hardly chided Biya for his misrule. When Pope Benedict XVI came to power, the first African country he visited was Cameroon. He spoke in codes about justice but clearly and controversially about HIV and AIDS. Pope John Paul fought tirelessly against Communism but he saw autocracy in Africa as sufferable. Pope Benedict speaks eloquently about HIV and AIDS but speaks in codes when he is standing beside notorious dictators. And now, Robert Mugabe, who is being shunned even by secular rulers for ruining the lives of his people and who has a European Union ban on his head, is now attending the beatification of Pope John Paul II. When will the Roman Catholic Church have some backbone and stand up to Christians like Biya and Mugabe who are functional atheists? Or are these dictators merely practicing what the Roman Catholic Church preaches?
Update: Paul Biya also attended the beatification of Pope John Paul II in the Vatican.
Update: Paul Biya also attended the beatification of Pope John Paul II in the Vatican.
2 comments:
There is always a underlying reason for all actions, whether conscious or not. The Roman Catholic Church is acting is this manner for some (x) reason. I know the US has backed come undeniably terrible dictators, but for political gain or some other reason. Maybe the church makes a hefty sum of money from these countries? The activity of the church in these regions does raise some very mysterious questions...Good Luck trying to get the Vatican to explain it.
As christians are we not supposed to forgive? To shun someone because of their misdeeds goes against the teachings of Jesus. I feel like the Vatican should make an effort to point out these Autocrat's misdeeds but only in an effort to promote change. For the Vatican to ignore someone for their wrongdoings is ridiculous since the Vatican has committed or supported some of the major atrocities in history. The Vatican seems to be playing more of a political role than a spiritual role in this specific incident which i believe raises even more questions. While i do not believe that the Vatican should support these rulers i believe that ignoring them or refusing contact with them directly contradicts core christian values and beliefs.
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