Civil Liberties Group Condemns Exclusion of Major African Nations from Papal Itinerary
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has strongly criticized the exclusion of Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Kenya from the inaugural African visit of Pope Leo XIV. The group described these nations as among the "most threatened and attacked African countries" and argued they should have been included in the pontiff's travel plans.
Demand for Cardinal Appointments and Church Reforms
Intersociety also expressed dissatisfaction with the Pope's reforms to date, demanding the appointment of four Cardinal-Electors each for Uganda, Kenya, Cameroon, Angola, and Tanzania, along with three each for Congo DRC and Nigeria. This move, they asserted, is essential to "encourage, strengthen, and save Christianity in Africa." The group emphasized that the Pope's reforms and 10-day visit aim to position global Catholicism as the "global mother church" for the world's Christian population, particularly in promoting, defending, and protecting the Christian faith.
However, Intersociety noted that "reforms carried out so far are not good enough." They called for more concrete and urgent reforms to strategically reposition the Mother Church as the common umbrella of global Christendom.
Critique of "Super Catholic Countries" Omission
In a statement issued by its chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi, alongside Chidinma Udegbunam, Joy Igboeli, and Ekene Umeagu, head of International Freedom of Religion and Worship, the group faulted the exclusion of some "super Catholic countries" from the visit. They highlighted that among the four African nations scheduled for the Pope's visit—Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea—only Angola boasts a large Catholic population of approximately 10 million. In contrast, Cameroon has about nine million Catholics, and Equatorial Guinea has 1.4 million.
Cameroon Separatists Announce Ceasefire for Papal Visit
In related news, English-speaking separatists in Cameroon have declared a three-day pause in fighting to ensure "safe travel" for Pope Leo XIV's visit to the Central African country. The Unity Alliance, comprising several separatist groups, announced in a late Monday statement that this ceasefire reflects the "profound spiritual importance" of the visit and aims to allow civilians, pilgrims, and dignitaries to travel securely.
Cameroonian authorities have not immediately responded to requests for comment from The Associated Press. Government spokesperson René Sadi stated last week that "all necessary arrangements have been made" to guarantee a successful visit.
The conflict in Cameroon's western regions, ongoing since English-speaking separatists launched a rebellion in 2017 to establish an independent state from the French-speaking majority, has resulted in over 6,000 deaths and displaced more than 600,000 people, according to the International Crisis Group. Unity Alliance spokesperson Lucas Asu explained that the ceasefire "reflects a deliberate commitment to responsibility, restraint, and respect for human dignity, even in the context of ongoing conflict."
