Pope says big powers are still abusing Africa

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict has said that big political and economic interests are still responsible for many of Africa’s problems and that their continued abuse was fomenting conflicts on the continent.

The Pope’s comments were in a transcript released by the Vatican on Friday. “Africa continues to be the object of abuse by the big powers, and many conflicts would not have reached their current state if the interests of the great powers was not behind them,” he said.The Pope did not mention any specific countries or conflicts.”Africa is always a continent that needs – after the destruction that we brought from Europe – our brotherly help,” he said.He said that while Europe had brought to Africa “its ideologies and its interests” it had also brought missionaries who were still helping people.In many places of conflict in Africa, the Church remained the only institution still helping people, he said.It was at least the second time since his election last April that the Pope has criticised the role of outside powers in Africa.Last May, he said Europe was responsible for many of Africa’s ills today, including corruption, violence, arms trafficking and environmental pillage.- Nampa-Reuters”Africa continues to be the object of abuse by the big powers, and many conflicts would not have reached their current state if the interests of the great powers was not behind them,” he said.The Pope did not mention any specific countries or conflicts.”Africa is always a continent that needs – after the destruction that we brought from Europe – our brotherly help,” he said.He said that while Europe had brought to Africa “its ideologies and its interests” it had also brought missionaries who were still helping people.In many places of conflict in Africa, the Church remained the only institution still helping people, he said.It was at least the second time since his election last April that the Pope has criticised the role of outside powers in Africa.Last May, he said Europe was responsible for many of Africa’s ills today, including corruption, violence, arms trafficking and environmental pillage.- Nampa-Reuters