In his opening speech to the Vatican's second Synod of Bishops for Africa, Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana on Monday exhorted African Catholics to focus on being the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world," as a way to bring healing and forward progress to the continent.

"On a continent, parts of which live under the shadow of conflict and death, the church must sow seeds of life," Turkson said.

Paralleling Pope Benedict's address to the African Catholic church on Sunday, Turkson outlined several dangers to African believers in his speech, including, "hatred, violence, injustice and ethnocentrism."

"The church must purify and heal minds and hearts of corrupt and evil ways and administer her life-giving Gospel message to keep the continent and its people alive," he said, "preserving them in the path of virtue and Gospel values, such as reconciliation, justice and peace."

Turkson's speech also addressed several political and economic issues such as government corruption, increased drug trafficking and use in the continent, and the problems of pollution and climate change.

Speaking shortly before the cardinal was Pope Benedict XVI who urged the gathered clergy to be seekers of truth during their historical time of meeting, which marks the first synod held for Africa in 15 years.

"If this is not correct, we cannot arrive at the truth, and this is the source of all the vices that destroy social relationships and peace in the world," said Benedict. "Things are going wrong in the world because our relationship with God is not in order."

With the theme, "The Church in Africa at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace," the Synod of Bishops for Africa will run until October 25.