Cardinal Sarah Calls for Renewal in Guinea, Says Country “morally polluted”

The Cardinal decried what he described as a superficial prayer life among many believers, saying, “Many people pray only to ask for health, money, power, wealth, or success,” he said. “Once they receive what they asked for, they forget God.”

The Vatican-based Cardinal, who, until his retirement in February 2021, was serving as Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, insisted that authentic prayer requires inner conversion and reconciliation with others.

“Prayer requires a purified heart, a heart reconciled with God and with the next. If you go to present your offering at the altar and remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there… go first to reconcile with your brother,” he said.

Cardinal Sarah further emphasized that Christian worship cannot be reduced to outward gestures or emotion.

“Prayer is not entertainment. Prayer is not amusement. It is a serious moment where we meet God face to face,” the Cardinal said.

He also faulted moral contradictions within society, including corruption, violence, and exploitation.]

“We take, we steal, we use money, women, and young girls to harm them. We commit adultery, we kill children by abortion, and we claim to pray, we claim to honor God,” he said.

Calling for authenticity in discipleship, Cardinal Sarah warned against double allegiance in faith.

“When you say yes to God, let this yes be a yes. When you say no to God, let this no be a no. We cannot follow this double path,” he said. 

The Cardinal also challenged Christians who mix their faith with traditional spiritual practices, saying, “They consult the charlatans. They consult the marabouts. At the same time, they go to Mass,” he said. “Those who follow this double path turn their backs on God.”