TANZANIA: Fr. Alister Makubi Appointed Synodality Observer for SynObs Africa
Dalphina Rubyema
The Director of the Pastoral Directorate at the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), Fr. Alister Makubi, has been appointed as Synodality Observer for the Observatory of Synodality for Africa (SynObs) for the period 2026-2028.
The Observatory of Synodality for Africa Team, headquartered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, communicated the appointment through an official letter signed by its President, Fr. Paul Béré, SJ.
Dated February 15, the letter also states that the mission to Fr. Makubi is to observe and collect all initiatives related to the implementation of the Final Document on the Synod on Synodality in Tanzania.
“As you know, SynObs is an instrument serving the synodal journey in Africa…As an observer, you are above all members of the Church-Family of God in Africa. To support you in fulfilling this mission, training sessions will be offered,” reads part of the letter.
Responding to his appointment, Fr. Makubi said he accepted the role with humility and called for collaboration from the Diocesan Implementing Teams (Tanzania) on the Final Document of the Synod on Synodality.
He urged these teams to carry out their duties efficiently and on schedule and encouraged them to report any challenges to his office so they can be clarified and resolved. He also appealed to every Catholic to participate fully in implementing the Final Document on the Synodality, which calls for the full inclusion of every baptized person.
He emphasized that active participation is essential to putting into practice the Synod’s theme, which insists on Communion, Participation, and Mission.
The Final Document of the Synod on Synodality (2021–2024) marks the conclusion of an unprecedented, multi-year consultative process launched by Pope Francis. It emerged from worldwide listening sessions, continental assemblies, and two Vatican assemblies (2023, 2024), aimed at supporting Church governance toward inclusivity, accountability, and transparency
