By Luke Bisani<\/p>\n
At the ongoing 20th Plenary Assembly of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), one of its regional bodies, the Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA), has addressed some of the social gaps they have experienced in recent years.<\/p>\n
In their report prepared for the SECAM Standing Committee Meeting in July 2025, IMBISA outlined several challenges that have been affecting the Bishops in Southern Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere continues to be ongoing fragmentation, predatory exploitation of natural and human resources, increasing poverty, corruption, and a lack of effective public policies, issues that significantly impact the IMBISA region today,\u201d the report states.<\/p>\n
The report also identified critical issues, including inadequate infrastructure, low-quality education, poor health outcomes, unemployment, food insecurity, and water supply shortages. These problems are among the most pressing concerns faced by the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cA large portion of the population in some countries endures a low quality of life, suffering from hunger and poverty. Birth and death rates are very high, while life expectancy remains low. Consequently, young people, in particular, are seeking better living conditions through immigration,\u201d further emphasizes the report.<\/p>\n
Despite these challenges, the IMBISA report expresses optimism for improvement, highlighting the region’s abundance of natural resources and the potential for collaborative efforts to address these issues.<\/p>\n
The 20th Plenary Assembly for SECAM, scheduled to take place from July 30 to August 4, 2025, carries the theme \u201cChrist, Source of Hope, Reconciliation, and Peace.\u201d<\/p>\n
This gathering brings together more than 200 participants, including Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Consecrated Men and Women, and Lay Leaders from across Africa and its islands, alongside partners from other continents.<\/p>\n
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