SYNOD-SECAM: Synodal Journey is Giving Courage for Evaluation of our Faith, Says President of SECAM

Sr. Henriette Anne FSSA

President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) noted in his speech during the opening of the Continental Synodal Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, that “Synodal journey is giving us the courage to evaluate our faith and to speak with freedom, courage, and clarity about the challenges we face in Africa, both in the Church and in society, and to become deeply involved with these challenges in order to respond with concrete transformations”.

In his message to the delegates, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, who was recently appointed the President of SECAM after the death of Cardinal Richard Kuuia Baawobr, expressed that need of celebrating the continental phase of the ongoing synod on synodality which Pope Francis described as “journeying together” in order to “experience a church that receives and lives the gift of unity, and is open to the voice of the spirit”.

Cardinal Ambongo during his speech on Thursday, March 2, expressed gratitude for the initiative of the Holy Church to rediscover the values of synodality saying, “We are so grateful to the Holy Father for this pastoral initiative to call the entire Catholic Church to rediscover the precious value of synodality”.

He continued, “This synodal process, under the sign of communion, participation and mission is really a time of grace and a great moment of ecclesial communion for the Church.”

The president of SECAM who is the Archbishop of Kinshasa, Congo acknowledged that the Church in Africa has been growing as the family of God and synod is a confirmation that the church of Africa is rooted in the principles of Palaver, Ubuntu, and Ujamaa.

“This synodal process came to confirm the way that the Church in Africa has been doing. In fact, rooted in African anthropological principles, especially palaver, Ubuntu, and Ujamaa, which emphasize community spirit, family hood, teamwork, solidarity, and togetherness, the Catholic Church in Africa has been growing as the Family of God”, he explained.

Reflecting on the recommendation (Church as the Family) of the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops in 1994, the prelate stated that the bishops wanted the church to use family as the Church model.

“The Fathers of the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops in 1994 recommended the image of the Church as the Family of God because this image emphasizes “care for others, solidarity, warmth in human relationships, acceptance, dialogue, and trust” (Ecclesia in Africa, n.63). They wanted to use the African family as the model for being and living Church. They wanted to imprint in the Church the African values of the family.”

He added that the Small Christian Community (SCC) is a privileged space to experience the sense of family spirit and synodality stressing that “in many parts of the continent, Small Christian Communities are the hallmark of the Church in Africa and the space where the faithful are renewed and confirmed in their baptismal ministry; and where they experience and live synodality as a mission, communion, and participation”.

The SECAM leader further noted that, “Small Christian Communities nurture strong interpersonal relationships, deepen our sense of communal belonging, and promote the active proclamation of the Gospel of the Risen Lord. They offer opportunities for communal prayer, interaction, collaboration, and reflection, thereby, welcoming and celebrating the unique gifts and charisms of each member”.

Speaking on listening which is the main component of the ongoing synodal journey, Archbishop Ambongo stated that true encounter as family members, true walking together as brother and sister can only arise from listening.

“Listening implies going further than just hearing. In order to listen, it is indispensable to be quiet and to listen to what the other has to say. Listening requires that one has to leave one’s world to immerse oneself in that of the other. The lack of listening is largely a cause of conflict, disagreement, division, and violence in society and even in the Church. We cannot walk together as a family, as a Church without listening to each other. This Synod is offering us the opportunity to become a listening Church and in the permanent exercise of mutual listening”, he explained.

Addressing the significance of the lay faithful participating in the Continental Assembly, the Archbishop stressed that the lay people are called upon to freely express their views with honesty and respect.

Cardinal Ambongo called upon the participants to be guided by the three questions presented in the Document of Continental Stage (DCS) that should be addressed during the 16^th Ordinary General Assembly of the Bishops to be held October 2023 and October 2024.

He finally asked the Almighty God through the intercession of our Lady of Africa to guide their Plenary Assembly while informing the participants to “enjoy the beauty of being together, walking together, celebrating the bond of our communion, and sharing the joys and sorrow of our life and mission,” as delegates met in Ethiopia which Cardinal described “A historic and Biblical country and a cradle of enculturated Christianity.”