AMECEA: Catholic Communicators Urged to Lead Information Efforts on Synod on Synodality Implementation
Fr Isaac Ojok
Catholic communicators across the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) region have been urged to take the lead in disseminating accurate and timely information during the implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality.
This call was made during the annual meeting of AMECEA correspondents, held virtually on 18 November 2025, with participants drawn from Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.
Opening the meeting, AMECEA Secretary General Fr. Anthony Makunde emphasized that the success of the Synod’s implementation depends greatly on how effectively communicators inform and accompany the faithful in their respective conferences.
Organized by the AMECEA Secretariat for Social Communications, the meeting highlighted that Catholic communicators must first understand the core synodal documents to engage bishops, priests, religious, and laity meaningfully. Participants discussed ways to enhance collaboration among stakeholders and strengthen communication strategies within the region.
Mr. Bernard Mberere, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) officer at AMECEA, guided communicators through the various implementation stages at parish, diocesan, and other ecclesial levels. Key objectives include exploring new practices and structures that support a synodal way of living the Church’s mission and identifying formation pathways that promote genuine synodal conversion across diverse contexts.
The implementation phase identifies the entire People of God, especially all the baptized in their varied charisms and vocations, as the primary actors, Mr. Mberere narrated to the over 10 participants adding that, “At the local level, this involves encouraging conferences, dioceses, and parishes to study and apply the synodal documents, revitalizing participatory structures such as pastoral councils and synodal committees, and revising formation programs for clergy and laity to foster synodal spirituality as a way of life.”
Launched by Pope Francis in 2021, the Synod on Synodality aims to renew the Church’s life and mission by strengthening practices of listening, participation, and shared responsibility. After a global consultation and two sessions of the Synodal Assembly in Rome, the Church entered the implementation phase, focusing on embedding synodal principles in everyday ecclesial structures and pastoral practice.
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