MONTFORT MISUNJE
STAFF REPORTER

Pope Benedict XVI invited Ellard Alumando, a Malawian heading the Dream Program to represent the African laity in the ongoing African Synod II in Vatican.

The Dream Program is owned by the community of Sant’ Egidio, a Catholic laity driven movement which was began by Italian students.
"I have the distinct privilege of notifying you that the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has decided to invite you to be present at this Assembly as an Auditor. At the same time I wish to offer my congratulations at the trust which the Holy Father has placed in you by providing such an important opportunity to serve the Universal Church," reads the letter the pope wrote Alumando, through Archbishop of Sisak Nikola Eterovic.
The letter said the Pope invited Alumando in recognition of special talents in relation to the particular themes which will be discussed and studied by the members of the synod.
An Auditor is permitted to be present at all plenary sessions as well as the meetings of the small discussion groups which are composed according various languages and given the task of developing an in-depth understanding of the matter treated.
The synod began on 4 October this year and will run for four weeks.