SECAM: SECAM Hold 16th Plenary
The
Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) held its 16th
Plenary in Kinshasa from 8th to 15th July 2013 under the
theme: The Church in Africa in the service of Reconciliation, Justice and
Peace.
Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) held its 16th
Plenary in Kinshasa from 8th to 15th July 2013 under the
theme: The Church in Africa in the service of Reconciliation, Justice and
Peace.
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| Group Photo of SECAM Members with President Kabila of DRC |
Among
the participants at the plenary were seven Cardinals, 125 bishops, Secretaries
General of the national and regional Catholic Bishops’ Conferences from Africa
and Madagascar. The Apostolic Nuncio to the Democratic Republic of Congo,
Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, Cardinals and bishops from other Churches also
participated. Partner organizations including Misereor, Missio and CRS were
represented. There were also invited guests from Europe and America. The
Government of DR Congo was represented by the Minister of Interior, Mr. Richard
MUYEJ.
the participants at the plenary were seven Cardinals, 125 bishops, Secretaries
General of the national and regional Catholic Bishops’ Conferences from Africa
and Madagascar. The Apostolic Nuncio to the Democratic Republic of Congo,
Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, Cardinals and bishops from other Churches also
participated. Partner organizations including Misereor, Missio and CRS were
represented. There were also invited guests from Europe and America. The
Government of DR Congo was represented by the Minister of Interior, Mr. Richard
MUYEJ.
The
Plenary was an opportunity for the participants to discuss various issues
related to the life of the Church and the socio-political situation in Africa
and the Islands of Africa.
Plenary was an opportunity for the participants to discuss various issues
related to the life of the Church and the socio-political situation in Africa
and the Islands of Africa.
Cardinal
Christian TUMI from Cameroon gave the opening speech. This was followed by
lectures on various subjects, among them, the continuation and relationship
between Ecclesia in Africa and Africae Munus, moderated by cardinal Laurent
MONSENGWO from DR Congo; the role of the truth and Reconciliation Commissions
in the light of Africae Munus, facilitated by Bishop Matthew Hassan KUKAH from
Nigeria; and the socio-political movements in North Africa and the
interreligious dialogue, directed by Bishop George CHIHANE from Egypt.
Christian TUMI from Cameroon gave the opening speech. This was followed by
lectures on various subjects, among them, the continuation and relationship
between Ecclesia in Africa and Africae Munus, moderated by cardinal Laurent
MONSENGWO from DR Congo; the role of the truth and Reconciliation Commissions
in the light of Africae Munus, facilitated by Bishop Matthew Hassan KUKAH from
Nigeria; and the socio-political movements in North Africa and the
interreligious dialogue, directed by Bishop George CHIHANE from Egypt.
Cardinal
Théodore Adrien SARR from Senegal led the participants in reflecting on SECAM
in the light of Africae Munus, with a focus on strengths, weaknesses, and
opportunities. The final conference focused on Motu Proprio Intima Ecclesiae
Natura. This was moderated by Cardinal Robert SARAH.
Théodore Adrien SARR from Senegal led the participants in reflecting on SECAM
in the light of Africae Munus, with a focus on strengths, weaknesses, and
opportunities. The final conference focused on Motu Proprio Intima Ecclesiae
Natura. This was moderated by Cardinal Robert SARAH.
There
were also reports from the representatives of national and regional Catholic
Bishops’ Conferences as well as messages of solidarity from representatives of
partner organizations.
were also reports from the representatives of national and regional Catholic
Bishops’ Conferences as well as messages of solidarity from representatives of
partner organizations.
This
Plenary Assembly adopted the strategic plan 2013-2018, consisting of projects
on good governance, the common good, democratic transitions in Africa, faith,
culture and development, and the Catholic News Agency for Africa (CANAA). The
Plenary expressed a message of hope, faith and love to the Church, the family
of God in Africa.
Plenary Assembly adopted the strategic plan 2013-2018, consisting of projects
on good governance, the common good, democratic transitions in Africa, faith,
culture and development, and the Catholic News Agency for Africa (CANAA). The
Plenary expressed a message of hope, faith and love to the Church, the family
of God in Africa.
Regarding
the socio-political situation on the continent, the participants at the plenary
decried situations of the instability and insecurity in some African countries,
citing the Republic of Central Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Syria, countries of the Horn of Africa, Mali, Nigeria, South Sudan, Madagascar,
Tunisia and Egypt. In the face of these socio-political challenges, the plenary
made resolutions and recommendations, advocating for Reconciliation, Justice
and Peace across Africa.
the socio-political situation on the continent, the participants at the plenary
decried situations of the instability and insecurity in some African countries,
citing the Republic of Central Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Syria, countries of the Horn of Africa, Mali, Nigeria, South Sudan, Madagascar,
Tunisia and Egypt. In the face of these socio-political challenges, the plenary
made resolutions and recommendations, advocating for Reconciliation, Justice
and Peace across Africa.
The
plenary then proceeded to elect new office bearers. They included The
Archbishop of Lubango in Angola, Mgr Gabriel MBILINGI, as the new president of
SECAM. He takes over from His Eminence Cardinal Polycarp Pengo of Dar-Es Salaam
Tanzania. The 1st Vice President is Bishop Louis PORTELLA-Marie,
Bishop of Kinkala, Congo-Brazzaville taking over from Cardinal Theodore Adrien
SARR from Dakar Senegal while the 2nd Vice President is Mgr Gabriel
ANOKYE, Archbishop of Kumasi in Ghana, taking over from Most Rev. Gabriel
Mbilingi from Lubango Angola who is now the new president.
plenary then proceeded to elect new office bearers. They included The
Archbishop of Lubango in Angola, Mgr Gabriel MBILINGI, as the new president of
SECAM. He takes over from His Eminence Cardinal Polycarp Pengo of Dar-Es Salaam
Tanzania. The 1st Vice President is Bishop Louis PORTELLA-Marie,
Bishop of Kinkala, Congo-Brazzaville taking over from Cardinal Theodore Adrien
SARR from Dakar Senegal while the 2nd Vice President is Mgr Gabriel
ANOKYE, Archbishop of Kumasi in Ghana, taking over from Most Rev. Gabriel
Mbilingi from Lubango Angola who is now the new president.
Zambia’s
Fr. Joseph Komakoma was elected as the new Secretary General of SECAM taking
over from Rev. Fr. Francis Xavier Damiba. Fr. Komakoma was initially the 1st
Deputy Secretary General of SECAM.
Fr. Joseph Komakoma was elected as the new Secretary General of SECAM taking
over from Rev. Fr. Francis Xavier Damiba. Fr. Komakoma was initially the 1st
Deputy Secretary General of SECAM.
Meanwhile, a three-year mandate for the Director of CEBAM
(BICAM), Fr. Yves-Lucien EVAGA NDJANA from Cameroon was confirmed and that of
SECAM’s Director of Communications, Mr. Benedict ASSOROW from Ghana renewed.
(BICAM), Fr. Yves-Lucien EVAGA NDJANA from Cameroon was confirmed and that of
SECAM’s Director of Communications, Mr. Benedict ASSOROW from Ghana renewed.
SECAM’s 16th Plenary Assembly concluded
with the celebration of Holy Eucharist at the Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa. The Organizing
Committee thanked the Government of the DR Congo for all the support in
preparations of the plenary.
with the celebration of Holy Eucharist at the Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa. The Organizing
Committee thanked the Government of the DR Congo for all the support in
preparations of the plenary.
Source:
SECAM Communications Department
SECAM Communications Department
