The Catholic Church in Africa has taken a bold step towards shaping its future by unveiling a 25- year pastoral plan aimed at guiding the Church’s mission of reconciliation, renewal and integral development across the continent. The plan was presented at the conclusion of the 20th Plenary Assembly of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), held in Kigali, Rwanda, from July 30 to August 4, 2025.
Themed “Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace: The Vision of the Church-Family of God in Africa for the Next 25 Years (2025–2050),” the Assembly brought together Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops from across Africa and its islands to chart a visionary course for the Church’s engagement in a rapidly changing world.
At the heart of the Assembly’s final message signed by Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of SECAM, was the unveiling of a forward-looking 25-year roadmap built around twelve foundational pillars, emphasising the Church’s renewed commitment to healing and transformation. “Our continent is wounded by divisions, conflicts, and despair,” Cardinal Ambongo said. “But in Christ, we find the hope and strength to build a new Africa— reconciled, renewed, and rooted in Gospel values.”
A vision anchored in Christ
The 25-year plan envisions the Church in Africa as a “Church-Family of God,” one that embraces its prophetic role in society while responding to the continent’s complex spiritual and social realities. It builds on the fruits of previous synods and papal exhortations, especially Pope Francis’ vision of a synodal Church—walking together in communion, participation, and mission.
Drawing inspiration from Christ’s message of peace and unity, the bishops stressed that reconciliation must begin at the heart of every person and radiate outward to families, communities, and nations. “No one truly wins in a conflict,” the final communiqué stated. “Reconciliation is not weakness—it is strength in the Spirit, a courageous act of love.”
The twelve pillars of the 25- Year vision
At the core of the plan are twelve foundational pillars that will guide pastoral priorities and social engagement over the next quarter-century:
1. Evangelisation through education and tradition – Renewing the faith through catechesis, theological formation, and cultural heritage.
2. A self-reliant Church – Promoting economic sustainability and reduced dependence on foreign aid.
3. Family model of leadership – Emphasising relational leadership and community-centered pastoral care.
4. Missionary discipleship and synodality – Fostering inclusive participation, co-responsibility, and spiritual growth.
5. Care for creation – Responding to ecological challenges through environmental stewardship.
6. Youth empowerment and Church renewal – Investing in the formation, leadership, and engagement of young people.
7. Justice, peace, and integral human development – Advocating for human dignity, equity, and social cohesion.
8. Ecumenism and interfaith dialogue – Building bridges across religions and denominations to foster mutual understanding.
9. Digital evangelisation – Harnessing technology and media to proclaim the Gospel in new and creative ways.
10. Public health – Promoting physical and mental well-being through healthcare access and advocacy.
11. Liturgical life – Deepening the richness and inculturation of worship and sacramental life.
12. Church engagement in politics – Encouraging the faithful to influence policy and governance through ethical leadership.
SECAM described the plan as a blueprint for a Church that seeks to be a transformative presence in African society, where divisions, violence, and underdevelopment continue to pose significant challenges. The bishops called for a renewed commitment to reconciliation, dialogue, and moral integrity across all sectors of society. Cardinal Ambongo stressed that the Church’s mission over the next 25 years will be one of hope and action. “This is not just a Church document,” he said. “It is a call to every Christian in Africa to rise, rebuild, and renew. The time for passive faith is over. The Church must be prophetic, pastoral, and present.”
Christ, source of reconciliation and peace
In addressing Africa’s enduring interethnic and political conflicts, the bishops warned that “no one truly wins in a conflict, whatever its nature.” They emphasised that reconciliation, forgiveness, and peace are not just moral ideals but essential for authentic human development. Drawing from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, they declared: “Be reconciled to God.” Reconciliation, the bishops noted, begins with Christ and must extend to every corner of African society.
The bishops lamented the continued suffering of millions across the continent—men, women, and children deprived of dignity, freedom, and hope due to conflict, injustice, and systemic persecution. In response, they called on the Church to stand boldly with the afflicted and commit to deeper awareness, education, and concrete action for peace. “It is the peace of the Risen Christ, disarming, humble, and persevering,” the message states.
The bishops appealed directly to political leaders to prioritise the well-being of the people, uphold the dignity of the most vulnerable, and foster genuine dialogue and unity. Quoting Saint Pope Paul VI’s landmark 1967 encyclical Populorum Progressio, SECAM reiterated that “development is the new name for peace,” while affirming that such peace must be firmly rooted in Christ—the only true and lasting Source.
The Church-family of God: A communal mission
The final message also renews the call for the Church in Africa to rediscover its identity as a family—with God as Father, the Church as Mother, and every person as a brother or sister. This vision of the Church-Family, the bishops explained, calls for justice, mutual responsibility, healing of relationships, and a common commitment to reconciliation. “Because we are human and often wound one another,” the bishops noted, “we constantly need to heal and restore our relationships.”
SECAM emphasised that this identity is not just spiritual but also social and prophetic. The Church must serve as a model of unity, forgiveness, and peace, transcending barriers of ethnicity, religion, language, and culture. “The face of evangelisation today takes the name of reconciliation,” they affirmed, quoting the 2011 Synod on Africa.
Youth, integrity, and martyrdom
A deeply moving moment of the assembly was the commemoration of Blessed Floribert Bwana Chui, a young Congolese layman who was beatified in Rome earlier this year. Martyred in 2007 for his courageous refusal to allow the entry of spoiled food into his country, Floribert was hailed as a model as a symbol of integrity, courage, and youthful witness. “His life challenges all of us, especially our youth, to embrace Gospel values and live them with boldness,” Cardinal Ambongo said.
A prayer for Africa
Concluding the message, Cardinal Ambongo invoked the intercession of Our Lady of Africa, asking that she accompanies the Church across the continent in its mission to bear witness to Christ—Africa’s Peace and Hope. “As messengers and builders of hope,” the bishops wrote, “we now go forth, confident that the future of Africa lies in the hands of Christ and His faithful people.
… Elects new leadership to steer Church’s mission
- Cardinal Ambongo re-elected President of SECAM, Bishop Mamza emerges 1st Vice President
The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has elected a new leadership team to guide the continental body through the next phase of its mission, as the Church in Africa embraces a 25-year vision of reconciliation, renewal, and evangelisation. The election was held during the 20th Plenary Assembly held in Kigali, Rwanda, from July 28 to August 2, 2025. Leading the new Presidential Council is Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo), who was re-elected as President of SECAM.
Cardinal Ambongo is widely respected for his vocal advocacy for justice, peace, and good governance on the continent. He is joined by Most Rev. Stephen Dami Mamza, Bishop of Yola (Nigeria), elected as First Vice President; Most Rev. José Manuel Imbamba, Archbishop of Saurimo (Angola), as Second Vice President; and Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, Bishop of Keta-Akatsi (Ghana), as Treasurer.
In the Secretariat, Rev. Fr. Rafael Simbine Junior (Mozambique) was reappointed as Secretary General. He will be assisted by two new deputies: Rev. Fr. Zéphirin Moube (Cameroon) as First Deputy Secretary General, and Fr. Uchechukwu Obodoechina (Nigeria) as Second Deputy Secretary General.
This leadership team is tasked with implementing SECAM’s newly launched 25-year pastoral plan, which emphasises evangelisation, youth empowerment, peacebuilding, environmental care, synodality, and deeper interreligious dialogue across Africa. The assembly’s emphasis on renewed leadership underscores the Church’s resolve to remain a prophetic voice and moral compass amid the continent’s many challenges.
As the Church-Family of God in Africa looks ahead to 2050, the new SECAM leadership is expected to play a critical role in shepherding the faithful toward a future anchored in Christ, justice, and reconciliation.
