SECAM: President Reminds Members of their Obligations as Symposium Prepares for Family Day
Cardinal Phillippe Nakellentuba Ouedraogo (SECAM)
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
As the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) prepares for its annual family day slated for Sunday, August 2, the President of the continental conference, Philippe Nakellentuba Cardinal Ouédraogo has reminded the bishops in Africa and the surrounding Islands of their obligations to a positive impact on the lives of the people on the continent.
“The Golden Jubilee celebration evidently raised hopes that SECAM would more visibly play its role and exert a positive influence on areas that touch the daily life of the people, both within and outside Africa. Indeed, exerting a positive impact is a major focus of the current SECAM leadership,” reads in part the statement from SECAM President sent ahead of the August family day, reminding the bishops of the resolution made last year in Kampala, Uganda.
Cardinal Ouédraogo highlighted that among the resolutions SECAM made at its plenary last year included “making the Golden Jubilee a springboard for more profound Evangelization on the Continent and its Islands; promoting organic pastoral solidarity and communion amongst the members of SECAM and being more proactive in prophetic mission.”
“Unfortunately,” according to Cardinal Ouédraogo the Local Ordinary of Ouagadougou Archdiocese, Burkina Faso, “one year after the Golden Jubilee, the situation in Africa and the surrounding Islands has remained the same within and outside the Church.”
He noted that the situation has been compounded by the Coronavirus pandemic that has wreaked havoc everywhere.
“Covid-19 has so far killed hundred of thousands around the world including Africans. It has affected the clergy, Religious and lay faithful alike.”
In the statement, SECAM leadership deferred this year’s annual collection which is normally to support the work of the continental symposium due to Covid-19 challenges.
“SECAM day is an important event for the Church-Family of God in Africa and Madagascar. We earnestly urge you to pray for SECAM on 2nd August 2020. Following the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic at the moment, we have opted to defer the special SECAM collection for this year. But if any person or group of people are moved by the Holy Spirit to support SECAM financially or materially, you are welcome do so,” Cardinal Ouédraogo noted in the statement.
Concerning the pandemic, the Prelate noted, “COVID-19 has exposed how vulnerable we are, irrespective of colour or status. What happens in one country affects people in the other. It has shown that we are one people and we need to be each other’s’ keeper. It is in doing so that we will be better placed to face the impact of the pandemic and to turn our economies around, while relying on the power of the Holy Spirit.”
The President of SECAM further urges the people of God in Africa not to lose hope but to pray earnestly for God’s interventions.
“Do not give in to despair; continue to pray and wait for God’s time. Like the Lord’s vision in Habakkuk, “if it comes slowly, wait, for come it will without fail,” the Cardinal said adding, “Be assured of our continued closeness to you and our daily prayers for you, especially, those of you who are sick or experiencing different challenges in your daily life.”
The Symposium that was founded by African Bishops on 29th July 1969, was formally launched by Saint Pope Paul VI on 31st July 1969 in Kampala, Uganda.
The annual celebration is normally set aside for all members of the Church-Family of God in Africa and the surrounding islands to thank God for the gift of Mother Africa, for the gift of one another and for the gift of the Christian faith and to speak about the Symposium to enable Catholics throughout the Continent and the Islands become more informed about its existence, work and mission, and invite them to identify with, and support SECAM.
“It also provides an opportunity to pray for the well-being of SECAM, for the spirit of unity, communion and solidarity amongst the Bishops, the clergy, the religious and lay faithful,” reads the statement.
