President’s Message

The new Pope is a UU at Heart

Is there a reason for hope?

In the eyes of the youth of the developing world there is a modern-day Martin Luther King. While his observations, statements and recommendations are very similar to MLK, his power is greater, because he is the leader of a country. In 2022 at the age of 35 Ibrahim Traore became the President of Burkina Faso in west Africa. Since then, he has elevated national and individual pride and facilitated meaningful and sustainable productivity for individuals and communities. Traore ended the colonial rule of France by closing their military base and ordering
their troops to leave.

Other acts of indigenous support include nationalizing their gold mines. He provided farmers with tractors, pumps and other equipment, then upgraded the agricultural systems and facilities,
leading Burkina Faso to become the largest producer of tomatoes and cotton in Africa. For his citizens he has made healthcare and education through university, free. They now have four official languages instead of French. The country is also undergoing a massive infrastructure program increasing roads and related construction.

Traore recently sent a heartfelt letter to the new pope. Pope Leo’s reaction reveals the wisdom and spirit of Ibrahim Traore, but it also introduces us to the character and vision of the new Pope and shows us that, at heart, he is also a Unitarian Universalist.

Pope Leo reveals his commitment to the inherent worth and dignity of every person, his free and responsible search for truth and meaning, and his dedication to a world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. It also prompted him to present his promises for the future. Here is a selection of statements from Pope Leo’s response to Traore’s letter:

“The church stood beside the colonizers not the oppressed. Christ was brown skinned and poor. So long as I have breath, I will preach the truth that no human is illegal. Africa is not the world’s burden but the world’s beacon. Economic suffering is not accidental. I will expose covert operations and manipulation of local politics. Africa’s civilizations are older than most flags. The church will no longer sit in silence. With migration the criminal is not the refugee but the warlord and the profiteer. Jesus was a migrant child. Pope Leo has read his response in front of a
camera:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y100cvPF2gc

Is there reason for hope?
-Markly Wilson