SECAM: SECAM Commences “Historic” Plenary in Rwanda
Fr. Rafael Simbine, SECAM'S Secretary General
By Magdalene Kahiu
The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) began its “historic” 20th Plenary Assembly on Wednesday, July 30, in Kigali, Rwanda.
In his opening remarks at the gathering scheduled to end Sunday, August 4, SECAM Secretary General, Fr. Rafael Simbine Junior, said the meeting is historic “because, for the first time in SECAM’s history, our Plenary Assembly will be held in only three working days.”
“The decision to have the meeting for a short period of time was made mainly because of financial difficulties,” Fr. Simbine said.
He explained that due to the limited time, the over 200 participants at the meeting held under the theme “Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace,” will not be able to review the reports from each department individually.
Instead, he said, they will present “a single, combined report that summarizes the overall performance and activities of all SECAM departments over the past three years (July 2022 – July 2025).”
The meeting will also include the election of new SECAM leadership, the review of proposed amendments to the SECAM Statutes, and the presentation and adoption of two key documents: “The Vision of the Church, Family of God in Africa and Its Islands for the Next 25 Years (2025–2050)” and “Pastoral Care of Persons in Situations of Polygamy.”
Fr. Simbine said that on August 2, meetings will be reserved for bishops and the national and regional Secretaries General.
“One of the agenda points is to discuss their (Secretaries General) participation in developing the SECAM Strategic Plan and how to divide areas of action among SECAM, the regional, and national Episcopal Conferences,” he said. He added, “This will help avoid duplicating the mobilization of funds for the same issues.”
On the same day, Fr. Simbine noted that theologians will be expected to work on preparing the Plenary’s final message and the message to the Pope.
He said the Plenary Assembly is expected to conclude with the celebration of Holy Mass at the Shrine of Kibeho, “where we will entrust our continent to Our Lady of Kibeho, and through her intercession, we will pray for peace and reconciliation in Africa.”
