30 Years after Ecclesia in Africa, the Church of Central Africa is encouraged to continue its mission of peace and hope

At the opening of the 13th Plenary Assembly of the Association of Regional Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa (ACERAC), the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), His Eminence Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, delivered a profound reflection on the relevance and urgency of the vision of the Church as the Family of God, thirty years after St. John Paul II’s apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in Africa.

Recalling the historical context of this exhortation, which emerged from the Special Synod for Africa, Cardinal Ambongo emphasised that it was much more than a theological ideal: it was a true pastoral roadmap for a continent marked by the repercussion of colonialism, dictatorships and divisions, but inhabited by a living faith and great hope.

Gathered around the theme “The Challenges of the Church, Family of God in Central Africa: 30 Years after Ecclesia in Africa”, participants are invited to an ecclesial examination of conscience. For the President of SECAM, this vision remains more relevant than ever today, given the worrying realities of Central Africa: persistent armed conflicts, insecurity, weakening social cohesion, poor governance, corruption, humanitarian crises, youth unemployment and ecological stress.

Despite these challenges, the Cardinal praised the vitality of the faith and the courageous commitment of pastors, consecrated persons and the lay faithful. However, he called for pastoral lucidity, stressing the urgency of strengthening formation, the credibility of prophetic witness, Christian unity and commitment to interreligious peace.

In this dynamic, he highlighted three pastoral priorities: the formation of peacemakers, the promotion of synodal pastoral governance, and the strengthening of the Church’s prophetic social commitment. According to the Cardinal, these priorities reflect the ongoing mission of the Church as the Family of God, called to be a sign of unity, reconciliation and hope in Central Africa.

The Cardinal finally reaffirmed the full availability of SECAM to accompany ACERAC in this decisive time of discernment and pastoral renewal.

SECAM Communication’s Office