Speaking with members of the Catholic University of Central Africa, the Pope highlights the university’s role in forming future leaders and professionals who will have the responsibility to work for the common good in their own society and around the world.
By Kielce Gussie Meeting with members of the Catholic University of Central Africa, Pope Leo expressed his gratitude to the academic authorities for their warm welcome and constant dedication to the service of education. The institution, founded in 1989 by the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa (ACERAC), can be a “a beacon for the Church and for Africa in its search for truth, as well as its promotion of justice and solidarity.” Today, more than ever, the Pope stressed, it is important that universities—and Catholic institutions of higher learning—"become true communities of life and research, introducing students and professors alike to a fraternity in knowledge.” The proclamation of the Gospel and the Church’s doctrine is meant to encourage a culture of encounter, in cooperation with “the positive forces that contribute to the growth of universal human consciousness.” Truth at the heart of the university Universities has an important and central role in today’s world. In a time where many seem to be losing their spiritual and ethical references points, “finding themselves imprisoned in individualism, superficiality and hypocrisy, the university stands out as a privileged place of friendship, cooperation and, at the same time, of interiority and reflection.” Since its founding in the Middle Ages, Truth has been the goal at the heart of universities. This continues today, the Pope noted as professors and students are called to adopt Truth as their goal and way of life. More than wealth or resources Africa, the Holy Father highlighted, “can make a fundamental contribution to broadening the overly narrow horizons of a humanity that struggles to hope.” Moreover, today, there is an urgent need to reflect on faith “within the framework of contemporary cultural contexts and present challenges.” In this way, the beauty and credibility of faith can be found in different settings, but particularly in contexts scarred by injustice, inequality, violence, and spiritual and material degradation. A nation’s wealth is not to be judged simply by the number of natural resources or material wealth. “No society, in fact, can flourish unless it is grounded in upright consciences, formed in the truth,” Pope Leo stressed. In this way, the motto of the Catholic University of Central Africa—“in the service of truth and justice”—is a reminder that the human conscience is the ground where the just and stable foundations of each and every society must be established. The Pope explained that “it is indeed within the conscience that moral discernment is formed, by which we freely seek what is true and upright.” A well-formed conscience helps direct each person towards a path of good, justice, and peace. Do not be afraid of “new things” Around the world, the Holy Father pointed there is a decaying of moral values that once were the guiding force of community life. Consequently, it is growing ever more common to causally approve “certain practices that were once considered unacceptable.” Social changes, economic pressures, and political forces have all contributed to this shift. However, he urged Christians—in particular young African Catholics—to not be afraid of “new things.” The university can form “pioneers of a new humanism in the context of the digital revolution.” While many simply look to the African continent for its “alluring aspects”, Pope Leo shone a light on the “the darker side” of environmental and social devastation due to the never-ending search for raw materials. “Do not look the other way”, he warned, as “this is a service to the truth and to all humanity.” "Without this demanding educational effort, passive adaptation to dominant paradigms will be mistaken for competence, and the loss of freedom for progress," he continued. Avoid living in bubbles This warning is all the more relevant in today’s world of artificial intelligence, which each day, becomes a greater part of our mental and social spaces. In addition to technical competence, the Holy Father called for a “humanistic formation capable of making visible the logic behind economics, embedded biases and forms of power that shape our perception of reality.” AI can turn relationships into functional interactions. But the Pope reminded the university community that they “are real persons!” When simulation is taken as the norm, discernment is weakened and social bonds close in on themselves. We begin to live in bubbles, “feeling threatened by anyone who is different.” This is how polarization, conflict, fear, and violence spread, he explained. This is where Catholic universities are called to the highest responsibility, he insisted. More than offering knowledge, these places of study shape minds that are able to discern, hearts geared to love and service and form future leaders and professionals, he added. Born from the heart of the Church Speaking directing to the “sons and daughters of Cameroon,” Pope Leo urged them to resist the tendency to migrate but instead look to serving in their own country and applying the knowledge they’ve earned to help their fellow citizens. This, he explained, is the purpose of their university. The Pope then turned to his predecessor, St. John Paul II’s reflection on the Catholic university as being “born from the heart of the Church.” Professors and students alike are partakers in the Church’s mission of “proclaiming the good news of Christ to all,” he said, quoting instead Pope Francis' 2017 Apostolic Constitution, Veritatis Gaudium. In light of modern-day challenges, the Catholic university “occupies a unique and irreplaceable position.” The development of the entire human person is also a central role of the university, and this includes spiritual formation. Lastly, the Pope turned to the essential role of professors, who he invited to embody the values they are hoping to impart. “Africa and the world stand in need of people who are committed to living according to the Gospel and to placing their talents at the service of the common good,” he stressed. Be both intellectual guides and role models. Africa, the Holy Father said, must be “freed from the scourge of corruption.” The principal virtue that must be the driving force of the university is humility. No matter what role we have or what age we are, “we must always remember that we are all disciples," he concluded.