Don’t forget suffering for the present and the future of God in Africa

Abstract

The main thesis of this reflection is that suffering has never been and shall not become a marginal issue in African Theology. It is the most universal humus of the life of the vast majority of our people. It precedes our mission for reconciliation, peace and justice, and will survive it. Suffering is so important because it puts in play how we understand ourselves as human beings, the future of God, and our mission as Church in Africa. The 34th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus produced a text in which it is realistically acknowledged that the human world is so evil that at times one finds it hard to believe that God is good or that a good God exists. In that feeling will be determined the way we relate with God and with the world. In fact, the situation of the world described by the General Congregation makes suffering a central issue of theology today for suffering has too much to do with faith in Jesus, with faith in God. It can cause lost of hope and faith in the disciples (Lc 24:13-35). New Atheism, God’s indifference and nihilism have their roots in the mystery of human suffering.