AMECEA/JCAM: Church Bodies to Launch Publication on Voices from Africa on Synodality
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
After series of Webinars convened by Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM) in partnership with Symposium of Episcopal Conferences in Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) towards the forthcoming 2023 Synod of Bishops, the Church bodies are set to launch a publication highlighting synodal experiences in Africa.
Announcing about the upcoming webinar slated for Wednesday, September 28, the Church bodies through an initiative dubbed the African Synodality Initiative (ASI) will unveil a book titled “A Pocket Companion to Synodality: Voices from Africa,” the content of which is an outcome of reflections by the ASI Theological Working Group that highlight synodal experiences in Africa, explore the links between synodality and culture in Africa, and deepen a theology of synodality from an African perspective.
According ASI in their publication shared with AMECEA online Saturday, September 17, the book to be launched is “a resource material intended to promote and support a wide and inclusive listening of all the People of God in keeping with the vision of Pope Francis of synodality as “a mutual listening in which everyone has something to learn.”
The main presenter for the upcoming synodal conversation will include the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development Michael Cardinal Czerny whose thematic presentation will be on why theological insight and voices from local and global church contexts matter.
Another presenter will be Dr. Nora Nonterah a theological and comparative ethicist and a lecturer at the Religious Studies Department, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana who is a contributor to the ASI publication with an article titled, “Sharing Responsibility for Our Common Mission.”
Additionally, Fr. Rodrigue Mianro Naortangar a Chadian Jesuit priest and the head of Jesuit Institute of Theology (ITCJ) press in Abidjan, Ivory Coast whose contribution in the book to be launched is on “Inculturation as the Path to a Synodal Church,” will also add his input during the Wednesday webinar.
Elaborating more about the upcoming publication, Fr. Naortangar narrated to AMECEA online on Thursday, September 22, that the pocket companion book “should accompany all those who will speak out on behalf of Africa or those who consider seriously the role this fast growing and religious continent can play for the sake of Christian faith in the coming years.”
As a theologian, he emphasizes that there is connection between synodality and African culture since “The Ubuntu philosophy (I am because we are) is one that articulates the value African societies and cultures give to relationships between people and communities and can be seen as a framework within which synodality can be thought and shaped.”
According Fr. Naortangar, “Values like solidarity, hospitality, dialogue or palaver processes in order to resolve conflicts in a holistic way, communion with the nature, with others, the living and the dead, with God and being committed for life in fullness among others are all aspects of the strong will behind African societies and cultures who are faithful to the ancient tradition articulated in the Ubuntu philosophy,” hence “Synodality from an African perspective cannot but consider Ubuntu.”
Reflecting on Pope Benedict the XVI message that “Africa is the spiritual lung of humanity,” The Chadian cleric underscores that this is a huge responsibility Africans have to take seriously into account and advises that the people in the continent should “enter thoroughly the process of synodality: with what we are, with our own perspectives, questions and challenges in order to be fully part of the process since we have so much to say to the Universal church.”
The registration link highlights that the free session will be presented at 1530hrs East African Time (EAT) in both English and French languages and a free e-copy of the publication will be availed during the launch.
