KENYA: Presidents of SECAM and COMECE Urge AU and EU to Strengthen Partnership with Africa’s Religious Leaders
Cardinal Phillippe Nakellentuba Ouedraogo (SECAM)
Andrew Kaufa, smm
As African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) prepare for their 6th Summit which is due this year, the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and Commission of Bishops Conferences in Europe (COMECE) are calling for shared responsibility between Africa, Europe and the religious actors in view of sustainable development and prosperity.
The two continental bodies of Catholic bishops have said this through a joint statement which is signed by their presidents Cardinal Phillippe Nakellentuba Ouedraogo (SECAM) and Cardinal Jean Claude Hollerich (COMECE) entitled “For a people-centred, just and responsible partnership between our continents”.
“At a time when our two continents as well as the entire world have been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and its devastating consequences, we are firmly convinced that Africa and Europe could become engines for reinvigoration of multilateral cooperation by reinforcing their long-standing ties marked by common roots and geographical proximity,” say Cardinal Hollerich and Cardinal Ouedraogo.
“Europe can only be prosperous and in peace if we share peace and prosperity with our neighbours. For us Christians, African and Madagascar are not only our neighbours but our brothers and sisters, and we want to share with them,” they added.
COMECE and SECAM whose Secretariats are based on Brussels (Belgium) and Accra (Ghana) respectively draw attention of the policy makers for Europe and Africa to the Catholic Church’s concern for the people “particularly those in situations of vulnerability and weakness, affected by extreme poverty and hunger, persisting lack of an equitable access to basic services, corruption, violence, terrorist attacks and persecution against vulnerable religious communities, as well as exploitation of natural resources and environmental degradation.”
In the statement which reached AMECEA Online on Thursday June 11, 2020, COMECE and SECAM appreciate the preparatory efforts of the two organizations but found it worthwhile to give their recommendations as guided by the Catholic Social Teaching.
COMECE and SECAM presidents highlight the spirit of partnership for integral human
development and insist on prioritizing “unhindered access to basic social services, adequate health care, education, nutrition, clean water and sanitation and descent housing.”
They also highlight partnership for integral ecology saying, “We encourage the adoption of policies that will raise public awareness and promote a change in citizen’s consumption patterns which are still very dependent on exploitative practices.”
Reminding the AU and EU of Pope Francis’ recent appeals to the international community “to eliminate the scourge of terrorism that is causing more and more bloodshed in Africa” Cardinal Hollerich and Cardinal Ouedraogo also advocate for partnership for promotion of human dignity, true security and sustainable peace.
“Perpetrators of these crimes should be brought to justice and the victims should receive full support of their respective governments and societies,” they add.
On addressing the problem of migration, the presidents of COMECE and SECAM insist that the international community must “facilitate their return and ensure adequate measures of protection and respect for their rights” but also ensure that those returning “receive adequate assistance for their reintegration in their communities.”
The SECAM and COMECE leadership argue that through the Catholic Social Teaching, the Church has already been giving guidance in order for AU and EU to addressing these challenges.
“We believe that the principles and values of human dignity, solidarity, preferential option for the poor, universal destination of goods, the promotion of integral human development, responsible stewardship of all creation, as well as the pursuit of the common good are necessary guidance and orientation in shaping the respective policy responses and actions,” the statement continues.
COMECE and SECAM acknowledge that in African societies, religion and culture are deeply rooted in community and personal bonds. As such, they recommend that the EU and AU strengthens partnership with the religious leaders on the continent.
“In this respect, we encourage policy makers on both continents to adopt policies contributing to a favourable environment and supporting inclusive inter-religious encounters and actions, while respecting the different ethos of the religious actors,” COMECE and SECAM recommend.
“It is our hope that the observations and policy recommendations elaborated by our Secretariats may be a constructive contribution to the preparations for the 6th AU-EU Summit,” concludes the COMECE-SECAM statement as it points to the 10-page recommendations which they have submitted to AU and EU.
