SECAM: SECAM and CCEE Urge Local Churches to Renewed Commitment to Universal Brotherhood
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Members of two Continental Episcopal bodies, the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE) have in their just concluded two-day virtual session encouraged solidarity and promotion of brotherliness, calling on all local churches to open their doors and welcome the people of God.
In their message shared Thursday June 3, a day after concluding their two day seminar which took place on the 1st and 2nd of June 2021, the bishops’ representatives from Africa and Europe who based their meeting on Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti, noted that the Holy Father’s message is “an invitation to human beings all over the world for a renewed commitment to universal brotherhood, friendship, solidarity and peaceful coexistence.”
To realize the expected solidarity and universal brotherhood, the Church leaders encourage the promotion of cultural, inter-religious and ecumenical dialogue – aware that the Church is a mother, hence the need for “each local church to be “a house with open doors” to sustain hope, build bridges, break down walls and sow seeds of reconciliation.”
“As children of one Father, we must be open to one another and work hard to build genuine brotherhood not only among our local communities but also with people of different cultural backgrounds, racial and ethnic identities, religious and political positions, social and economic status,” reads an excerpt of the prelates’ message addressed to all bishops, priests, deacons, men and women religious and lay faithful of the Church of God throughout Africa and Europe.
They noted that Pope Francis had earlier expressed in his second Encyclical, Laudato Si, that “human life is grounded on three fundamental and closely intertwined relationships: with God, with our neighbour and with the earth itself” hence the urgent need for communion and universal solidarity.
In the statement, the bishops acknowledge that the world is filled with “good values, but also full of hatred, hostility, extremism, violence and bloodshed” but add that amidst all these, everyone must welcome the Holy Father’s heartfelt appeal for inter-religious dialogue as a way of stimulating “friendship, peace and harmony.”
“As bishops and pastors, we reaffirm our communion and collegiality and commit ourselves to work to promote human dignity, fraternity and solidarity, which are at the heart of human life and peaceful coexistence,” reads part of the message.
After the two-day meeting themed “Solidarity in the promotion of human dignity in the light of Fratelli Tutti,” the prelates have called on political leaders, state authorities and bodies such as the African Union, the European Union and the United Nations, “to ensure the practical implementation of laws and protocols that enhance solidarity and promote human dignity.”
They have in particular asked for the promotion of life, family, educational and religious freedom as well as the welcome and integration of migrants, and also through fair and universal access to Covid-19 vaccines.
They have called for peace especially in all countries that are currently experiencing conflict in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and throughout the world, entrusting all priests, deacons and the faithful to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and asks them to pray and promote peace, solidarity and human dignity, “not only in our communities but also throughout society as a whole.”
