2009 shaping up as a 'Year of Africa' in Catholicism
By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.
Though there?s been no actual declaration to this effect, unofficially 2009 appears to be shaping up as the ?Year of Africa? in the Catholic church.
Three high-profile public events seem destined to ensure that the spectacular growth of Catholicism in Africa, as well as the steep challenges it faces, will be in the limelight throughout the year: