Africa at risk of wave of colonization by liberalism, archbishop warns

Vatican City, Oct 8, 2009 / 09:41 am

Archbishop Joseph Tlhagale of Johannesburg, South Africa said this morning at the Synod for Africa that the continent faces a "second wave of colonization" from "liberalism, secularism and from lobbyists who squat at the United Nations."

The South African archbishop began his five-minute intervention by noting that moral values are "embedded in the diverse African cultures," and that, "alongside the Gospel values, are threatened by the new global ethic."

This ethic, he said, "aggressively seeks to persuade African governments and communities to accept new and different meanings of concepts of family, marriage and human sexuality." He also added that "the cultures of Africa are under heavy strain from liberalism, secularism and from lobbyists who squat at the United Nations."

Archbishop Tlhagale described the situation as "a second wave of colonization both subtle and ruthless at the same time."

Confronting the onslaught of African society requires a strong effort on the part of laity, said the South African prelate. By virtue of their Baptism, he explained, they "are expected to witness in the public square, in their families and places of work."

Unfortunately, he stated, "their Christian voice in the face of the many challenges in Africa, is weak, muffled or simply silent. The hierarchy is without credible partners in the work of the transformation of Africa. Lay Catholics need to be given a voice in order to stand up and be counted for their Catholic faith. The hierarchy cannot do it alone."