Kigali, 02 August, 2025 / 11:56 PM
Pope Leo XIV has encouraged Catholic Bishops in Africa and Madagascar to strengthen their commitment to building local Churches that serve as visible and concrete expressions of Christian hope, unity, and reconciliation across the continent.
In a message addressed to Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), the Holy Father extends his “cordial greetings to all those gathered in Kigali, Rwanda” for the SECAM’s 20 Plenary Assemby.
In the message that was read by Protase Cardinal Rugambwa of the Catholic Archdiocese of Tabora in Tanzania on Saturday, August 2, the Holy Father expresses his spiritual closeness and support for the Assembly’s deliberations, which are taking place under the theme: “Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace.”
He prays that these discussions will “highlight the importance of fostering an intense experience of the love of God that awakens in hearts the sure hope of salvation in Christ.”
The Holy Father encourages the Catholic Bishops in Africa to be instruments of unity in divided societies, hoping it will inspire them “to promote unity, particularly in society fractured those parts of polarization.”
In this way, the Holy Father says he is “confident that your local churches will remain tangible signs of hope for all people.”
“Entrusting your future plans to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of hope,” Pope Leo XIV “cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of communion in the Lord.”
The July 28 to August 4 SECAM’s 20th Plenary Assembly seeks to build on what the 19th Plenary Assembly that was held in July 2022 mandated Africa’s Catholic Bishops to accomplish.
Meanwhile, Rwanda’s President received in audience SECAM Standing Committee members and some representatives of Catholic Bishops' Conferences in Africa.
“Rwanda represents both the worst and the best of humanity – a reminder that those with responsibilities, both in the state and the church, must harness the best of humanity,” President Paul Kagame said during the audience.
He added, “Failure has happened before, but good people don’t accept to be held hostage by it. We must learn from our history, work together, and prepare the ground for hope, reconciliation, and peace, not just in Rwanda, but across our continent.”
Meanwhile, Cardinal Ambongo has been reelected President of SECAM following the election of new leaders on August 2.
The First Vice President is Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Yola, Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba of the Catholic Archdiocese of Saurimo in Angola is the Second Vice President, and Bishop Gabriel Edoe Kumordji of Ghana’s Keta Akatsi Diocese remains the Treasurer.
Fr. Rafael Simbine was also re-elected as Secretary General. His two deputies will be: Fr. Zéphirin Moube from Cameroon as First Deputy Secretary General and Fr. Uchechukwu Obodoechina from Nigeria as Second Deputy.
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