SECAM: Spiritual Conversation: Key Emphasis to Synod Delegates from Africa at a Pre-synod Meeting

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Synod delegates from the African continent have been encouraged to pay key attention to the methodology proposed by the Holy Father to be used during the 16^th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops which is on Spiritual Conversation.

Spiritual Conversation as described by the General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops in earlier documents clarifies that this methodology focuses on the quality of one’s capacity to listen as well as the quality of the words spoken. It is an approach that takes seriously what happens in the hearts of those who are conversing, paying attention to the spiritual movements in oneself and in the other person during the conversation.

Speaking at a pressor on the last day of the meeting held at Mariapolis Retreat Centre for the Focolare movement in Nairobi, the Secretary General of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) Fr. Rafael Simbine Junior, highlighted among other objectives that brought together over 50 participants from Africa that “The meeting is to help participants familiarize themselves with the Instrumentum Laboris (The working document) as well as the methodology of Spiritual Conversation which shall be used at the synod assembly in Rome.”

Addressing the same concern during the press release, Fr. Andrew Kaufa the Social Communications Coordinator for the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) region disclosed that the new method proposed by Pope Francis is still a challenge to many delegates but with orientation, they get to understand it as well as what is expected of them.

“It takes time for the participants to appreciate the methodology. When the process begins, the participants come with many questions and by the end of the process they come to realize how the conversation is supposed to be, because it involves a lot of listening, yet in the real sense, listening is much more difficult than talking. So, this is the challenge,” Fr. Kaufa explained.

The cleric narrated further, “When you talk about discernment, meditation or reflection, it is not on our cultural practice yet this method emphasizes precisely that. It is not easy but after personal silent reflection, the next step is normally group discussion where participants are invited to share what they heard as the voice of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. It is in this process that discernment can happen, a consensus emerges and decisions are made.”

In this regard, the African delegates during the two-day meeting have been given guidelines on how to continue with the conversations even through workshops so as to get more familiar with the process prior to the October assembly where they will also have a retreat before they begin the discussions in Rome.

Highlighting some of the objectives for the orientation, SECAM’s Secretary General Fr. Simbine said the seminar was also meant to help participants familiarize themselves with other delegates from the region and also to recap on some of the fruits from the continental Synod Assembly that was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in the month of March.

Besides, the meeting was to offer participants the opportunity to share their expectations for the upcoming synodal Assembly and also expose them all the Spiritual Conversation method.

According to the synod officials during the pressor, “Delegates from Africa expect that by the end of it all, the Catholic Church will remain united, adhering to the Scriptures and to the Catholic doctrines.”

At the same time, the synod is here to stay as listening and discerning continues even after the synodal assembly.

They further called on communicators in Africa to be more actively involved as they spread the messages and by reporting about the October session of the Synod.