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ADDRESS OF PAUL VI TO THE KING OF ASHANTI*
Monday, 2 August 1965
Your Excellency,
We extend to you a most cordial welcome to Our summer residence,
because your presence here recalls many happy memories -of Our visit to Ghana
not too many years ago.
The Ashanti people, whose leader you are, possess a rich tradition
of culture and art as well as a proud history - both of which will
certainly contribute much to the progress of your country. The world has become
increasingly small because of modern communications, and it has become all the
more necessary that peoples of this earth collaborate with one another in a
spirit of understanding, cooperation and mutual respect. Only in this way can
advances be made for the obtaining of conditions which will lead to peace and
happiness.
Our children in your land are loyal and devoted children of the
Church, ,and, as such, they are true citizens of your nation, ready and willing
to make their contribution of talent and effort for the progress of their
country. We trust that in them Your Excellency finds generous collaborators.
Respect for religious beliefs and practice creates an atmosphere of
understanding and friendship, and We are confident that such a spirit does exist
in your country. The Eucharistic Congress held in your capital city of Kumasi provided concrete proof of its existence, and We are pleased to learn that Your
Excellency gave demonstration of this spirit by contributing towards the
purchase of the ostensorium used on that grand occasion.
Through Your Excellency
We send greetings to your President and to the noble people of Ghana. We wish
you good health and many years in the service of your people, and We pray that
Almighty God may grant to your people the rich blessings of peace, prosperity
and happiness.
*Insegnamenti di Paolo VI, vol. III, p.410-411.
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