- Enjoin Dioceses to achieve financial and structural autonomy
The Reunion of Episcopal Conferences of West Africa (CERAO/RECOWA) has concluded its 5th Plenary Assembly in Dakar, Senegal, with a strong statement to the sub-region, urging the Church and the broader community to prioritise peace, justice, and synodality. Held at the Fleur de Lys Hotel in Dakar, from May 5 to 12, the assembly, themed “A Synodal and Autonomous Church at the Service of Justice and Peace in West Africa,” brought together over 164 participants, including cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests, religious, lay faithful, and partners.
Drawing inspiration from the ongoing Synod on Synodality and the region’s socio-political realities, the bishops reaffirmed their commitment to a Church that listens, walks together, and actively promotes justice and peace. The bishops emphasised a dynamic, participatory Church where clergy and laity work together in humility and communion. They called on every baptised person to actively participate in the Church’s mission, listening to the Holy Spirit and walking in unity.
The statement read in part, “Co-responsibility: This is the fruit of a vibrant Church, where everyone—lay, consecrated, deacon, priest, bishop— is concerned for the common good. It is not simply a matter of sharing tasks, but a profound commitment to carrying out the mission of evangelisation together, in mutual trust, complementarity, and respect and acceptance of charisms. “
The Holy Spirit, guide of our journey, invites us to emerge from our comfort zones, to overcome our divisions, and to build a fraternal, open, and bold Church. Together, let us commit ourselves to living in communion, to seeking the participation of all, and to always remaining mission-oriented. “Let us walk with hope, in a synodal Church, for it is on this path that Christ himself goes before us.” Meeting just days after the election of Pope Leo XIV, the Assembly coincided with Good Shepherd Sunday, highlighting the pastoral responsibility of bishops as shepherds of Christ’s flock.
The bishops extended Easter greetings and called on the faithful to emulate the Good Shepherd by fostering unity, hope, and faithful witness. Urging dioceses to move toward financial and structural self-reliance, the bishops lauded efforts to establish microfinance institutions and encouraged transparent, community-driven models of Church support. The Assembly advocated for ecological justice that centres on the poor, urging integration of environmental awareness into school curricula, media, and grassroots engagement. They stressed the importance of environmental protection, fair distribution of natural resources, and accountability for damage caused to the planet. Given the significant number of youth and women in our sub-region, the assembly of bishops urged support for the active participation of youth and women in political, economic, and social processes in order to strengthen their roles in conflict prevention.
They said, “The final document of the Synod gives us pastoral guidelines for paying equal attention to the most disadvantaged and marginalised social categories. It tells us: “Equal attention must be paid to the composition of participatory bodies, so as to foster greater involvement of women, young people, and those living in conditions of poverty or marginalisation. Recognising ongoing violence and insecurity in parts of West Africa, the bishops advocated for a collective effort as they offered a road-map for sustainable peace, advocating education for peace, intercommunity dialogue, inclusive economies, and anti-corruption reforms.
The bishops called for integrity in both Church and state institutions, promoting leadership training, inclusive governance, and greater lay participation, while urging collaboration with traditional and religious leaders. Echoing the Synod’s invitation to repentance, the bishops challenged the faithful to become lights in society, especially on social media, using digital platforms to spread truth, peace, and hope.
