On his way back from Africa Pope Francis was asked about the Climate Change meeting in Paris. Will it succeed?
Pope Francis: “I am not sure, but I can say that it is now or never. Every year the problems grow more serious. … We are at the brink of suicide, to put it bluntly. And I am sure that almost all those who are in Paris, at the COP 21, are aware of this and want to do something. … I am trustful. I trust these people, that they will do something; because, I would say, I am sure that they have the goodwill to do so, and I hope it is so. And I pray for this”.
He was asked also about Africa:
Pope Francis: “Africa is a victim. Africa has always been exploited by other powers. From Africa, slaves were taken to America, and sold. There are powers that seek only to take the great wealth of Africa. I don’t know, it is possibly the richest continent. … But they do not think of how to help countries grow, to promote work, so that everyone has work. … Exploitation! Africa is a martyr. She is a martyr to exploitation in history. Those who say that from Africa is the home of all calamities and all wars do not understand well, perhaps, the damage that humanity has done to certain forms of development. And it is for this reason that I love Africa, because Africa has been a victim of other powers”.
News.Va
The Victor's Place 
PBS News Hour had segment on Nigeria tonight. It contrasted the wealthy part of the city with its huge luxury buildings, luxury cars, new development,
etc., with the people who live in poverty in Moko in makeshift housing on the river. A community action spokesman for the poor said that their homes had
begun to be demolished by government order so developers could take over, but had been stopped. He said nothing is done to provide primary
health care, clean water and sanitation because the government is so
corrupt. It’s heartbreaking. Pope Francis said it right: “Africa is a victim of
other powers.”
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Thanks for that information, Gloria. We have to see, or we become blind.
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There was another segment on the News Hour last night about corruption in
Nigeria, from the highest to the lowest levels of government, which told the
story of a taxi driver who refused to pay a $10 bribe to a policeman. He told
the policeman that his cab was out of service because he was taking his wife and children to church. The policeman shot and killed his wife while she
was holding their baby. The shot that killed her passed completely through her head into the cab driver’s head and out his jaw. As he was bleeding
profusely, he turned and saw his dead wife and baby covered in blood.
Millions of dollars that pass through government officials for shipments of oil and other natural resources just disappear along with the shipments, and no
one know how that happens or takes responsibility for these incidents.
Meanwhile “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.”
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