Synodality: Church in Africa begins its Continental Journey Towards Ecclesial Assembly of 2027-2028
The Church in Africa has officially begun its continental preparations for the 2028 Ecclesial Assembly of the Universal Church, as the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) opened its Preparatory Seminar on Synodality in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Held from 4 to 5 August, this seminar on Synodality themed “The Synodal Church in Africa: Journeying Towards the 2028 Ecclesial Assembly,” brings together Church leaders and representatives to reflect on Africa’s experience of the 2021-2024 Synodal process and discern its contribution to the next stage of the universal synodal journey.
A significant event
The seminar is organised by SECAM in collaboration with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia and the Catholic Archdiocese of Addis Ababa. A significant event is presided over by Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of SECAM.
Opening the gathering, Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia, welcomed participants to Ethiopia, describing the country as a place of profound human and Christian heritage. He also recalled the conflicts and instability affecting several African countries, including Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, urging participants to keep these realities in prayer.
Ecclesial discernment
Archbishop Brian Ngozi Udaigwe, Apostolic Nuncio to Ethiopia, representing Pope Leo XIV, recalled the different stages of the synodal journey and stressed that synodality should not be understood as parliamentary democracy. Rather, he said, the Church seeks consensus through ecclesial discernment under the guidance of the Holy Spirit while preserving unity and respecting legitimate diversity.
Opening the seminar, Cardinal Ambongo highlighted the contribution of the African Church to the Universal Church, pointing to the vitality of Small Christian Communities, the commitment of catechists and lay leaders, the essential role of women and the missionary zeal of young people.
Listening attentively to one another
He also acknowledged challenges including poverty, conflict, displacement, insecurity and limited resources. The President of SECAM urged participants to listen attentively to one another and to the Holy Spirit, calling for humility and openness rather than the defence of preconceived positions or personal interests.
Presenting the Roman Roadmap towards the Ecclesial Assemblies of 2027–2028, Bishop Lúcio Andrice Muandula of Chimoio, Mozambique, explained that the implementation phase following the 2024 Synodal Assembly is intended to revitalise the ordinary life of the Church rather than create another pastoral programme.
He outlined four stages: Remember, through local synodal assemblies in 2027; Interpret, through episcopal conferences and theological reflection; Orient, through continental discernment; and Celebrate, through the Ecclesial Assembly in Rome in October 2028.
SECAM Secretary General, Rev. Fr. Rafael Simbine Junior, presented the African preparatory itinerary and introduced the Continental Synodal Team. He noted that Africa’s process will include a distinctive regional phase, reflecting the continent’s eight Regional Episcopal Conferences.
A “conversation in the Spirit,”
The seminar’s central methodology is the “conversation in the Spirit,” combining prayer, silence, spiritual dialogue, plenary discussions and small-group discernment.
The process is expected to produce narrative reports and theological-pastoral reflections at local, national regional and continental levels, with key deadlines extending from June 2027 to April 2028.
The African journey will continue with a second preparatory seminar in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in May 2027, followed by a proposed Continental Synodal Assembly in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in early 2028, before the final preparations for the October 2028 Ecclesial Assembly in Vatican City.
Charles Ayetan
