KENYA: Walking Together “is a Sign of Hope,” Pope Francis tells African Theologians
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The Holy Father Pope Francis in his message to theologians at the second biannual Pan-African Catholic Congress on Theology, Society, and Pastoral Life, held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), has appreciated the initiative of journeying together terming it “a sign of hope” for the continent of Africa.
The four-day conference from July 19-22, which brought together Catholics and members of other churches including the bishops, clergy, Religious and laity, focused on the theme Walking Together for a Vital Church for Africa and the World.
Sharing with participants in a video recording on the first day of the congress Tuesday, July 19, Pope Francis said, “I am delighted to hear about this meeting at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi…It is a sign of hope that theologians, laity, priests, men and women religious, bishops have taken the initiative to walk together. Coming together to discern what God is telling us today, not only to meet challenging needs with certainty, but also to make African dreams come true (social, cultural, ecological and ecclesial dreams) is already a sign of an outgoing African Church. Continue your efforts.”
The Pontiff disclosed how Africa’s faith and resilience impresses him whenever he visits the continent, echoing his message during the trip to Central African Republic in 2015, that “Africa always surprises us.”
The Congress was convened by the Catholic University in collaboration with Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) which is currently housed at the Center for World Catholicism and Inter-Cultural Theology (CWCIT), DePaul University, and has over 200 active members “made up of African scholars from very diverse fields and front-line pastoral workers also engaged in a variety of different ministries.”
The Pope further encouraged the participants to “bring out the best during their reflections so that the result will be a surprise, and that African creation that surprises us all can be born, because Africa is poetry.”
He continued, “The wisdom of the African ancestors reminds us for this important call that “mountains never meet, but people do.” Let us continue on. Together. Accompanying one another, helping one another, and growing together.”
The Holy Father anticipated that the reflection by theologians should result in the good news that encourages the poor and the entire community.
“May a wisdom theology, as you propose, be the good news of mercy for the poor and nourish people and communities in their struggle for life, peace, and hope,” the Pope said while addressing the participants virtually and concluded, “May the Holy Spirit inspire you – may paths emerge from this congress that the Church needs: paths of missionary, ecological conversion, peace, reconciliation and transformation of the whole world.”
