SECAM: Invites Diocesan Clergy to Brainstorm on Creation of Regional Associations
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The continental body of bishops in Africa known as the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), has invited Diocesan clergy to a webinar meeting slated for Friday, October 1, so that together they can brainstorm on creating regional associations so that all may “feel part of this family (SECAM) and co-responsible for it.”
“We are suggesting an interactive session through Zoom meeting to discuss the possibility of the creation of Regional Associations of Diocesan priests…to reach the Continental Association of Diocesan Priests, which will enable this group (which is the majority of pastoral agents) to have an opinion and speak with one voice in the Church, Family of God in Africa and the Islands,” reads in part the invitation message signed by SECAM’s first Deputy Secretary General Fr. Rafael Simbine Junior adding that “this initiative look for ways that can strengthen the place and voice of Diocesan Priests in regional and continental Church issues.”
According to Fr Simbine in the message dated Tuesday, September 21, associations of Diocesan priests is already a reality in some regions such as the Regional Episcopal Conferences of West Africa (RECOWA/CERAO).
Besides brainstorming on creating regional associations, the session also “aims to invite the Diocesan priests to lead the implementation of the pastoral exhortations of the Kampala Document,” after SECAM’s Golden Jubilee that was held in July 2019, Kampala, Uganda for “the Church-Family of God in Africa and the Islands to reflect on how she had performed in the past, what was done and how it had been done.”
The Mozambican cleric who is SECAM’s Coordinator of the Evangelization Commission highlighted in the statement sent to AMECEA online that “SECAM is committed to respond with zeal to its mission of ensuring the unity and cohesion of the Church-Family of God, an ecclesial communion necessary for a new missionary commitment expected on the African continent, Madagascar and the adjacent islands.”
He continued, “Although several positive results of the evangelizing mission of the Church in Africa and the Islands are evident, it is noted that the project of building the Church as Family of God in Africa and the Islands still faces many challenges in various areas.”
In conclusion the Prelates noted that, “In the spirit of this commitment of the African bishops, the Evangelization Commission has been making every effort to gather all sons and daughters into the Church, Family of God in Africa and the Islands, ensuring that each one feels part of this family and co-responsible for it.”
The October 1, zoom meeting is scheduled to commence at 08:30 (GMT) via the link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81649192574?pwd=aHdoSG85dXNCN0ovVEt0MXVudUZUQT09
Meeting ID: 816 4919 2574
Passcode: 855922
