Kigali, 31 July, 2025 / 11:27 pm (ACI Africa).
Members of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) who are meeting in Rwanda’s capital. Kigali, have lauded the immense growth witnessed in the Catholic Church on the continent since the Bishops’ last gathering in 2022.
In their status report presented on Thursday, July 31 at the ongoing assembly, the SECAM members said that Africa witnesses also ecclesial maturity from July 2022 to July 2025. The period, they said, was also marked by important transitions and initiatives within SECAM, they said.
“The period 2022-2025 has highlighted SECAM’s resilience, strategic development and growing ecclesial maturity,” the Catholic Bishops in Africa said.
Key achievements, for the period they said, included leadership changes, empowerment initiatives, theological reflections and stronger collaborations, all of which the Bishops said “lay a solid foundation for a more synodal, evangelizing and socially engaged Church in Africa.”
In the report, the Catholic Bishops highlight the achievements and challenges they faced for the past three years.
Achievements
The Bishops highlight the smooth transition following the death of Cardinal Richard Baawobr in November 2022 which they say ensured continuity within SECAM.
They also say that regular meetings of the Presidential Council, Standing Committee and national and regional General Secretaries were held, both virtually and in person, to coordinate activities and strategic planning.
“Visits were made to a number of national Bishops’ conferences, notably in Zambia, Tanzania, Madagascar and Malawi, to encourage the Bishops to take ownership of SECAM and commit themselves to fraternity,” they say.
They say that institutional communication within SECAM has been maintained, in particular with regional Episcopal Conferences, Vatican dicasteries and partner organizations, as has solidarity with Bishops on the occasion of ordinations, anniversaries and crises, and condolences have been passed on.”
The Bishops say in the report that SECAM’s Commission for Evangelization advanced the Church’s mission through biblical, theological and pastoral initiatives including Biblical apostolate, theological reflections and the Synodal process.
Through SECAM’s Commission for Justice, Peace and Development (CJPD), the Bishops in Africa also engaged in promoting social justice, good governance and environmental sustainability.
They explain that the commission carried its mandate through good governance and democracy that was done through the “good governance project”, that mainly advocated for transparent governance and a democratic culture.
They say the commission has facilitated “peace dialogues, election monitoring and mediation initiatives in conflict areas.”
The commission, according to the report, has also facilitated research, awareness campaigns and capacity building for the pastoral care of migrants, through “management of the Migrant Pastoral Project of Catholic nuns, including training, data collection and networking.”
Through Laudato Si’ principles, the Bishops say that SECAM has fostered environmental protection by supporting “regional campaigns on climate change, land rights and resource management.”
In the report, the Bishops say that through the communications department, they have been able to play “a crucial role in enhancing the visibility” and reach of SECAM through SECAM’s Website and digital platforms, Partnership with APO Group and Media and public relations.
Challenges
The Bishops highlight the lack of financial resources as one of the major challenges faced during the three-year period.
They say that the reduction in diocesan contributions, which were supposed to support SECAM, meant that the organization was mainly dependent on aid from foreign partners, thus compromising the realization of its essential activities.