Nairobi, 24 April, 2025 / 9:00 pm (ACI Africa).
Members of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) have eulogized the late Pope Francis as “a fearless leader” who committed himself to establishing a Synodal church.
In a message addressed to the Vatican's Secretary of State, Pietro Cardinal Parolini, the AMECEA chairman, Bishop Charles Sampa Kasonde, also expressed the association’s deep sorrow following the passing on of Pope Francis.
“Pope Francis was an inspiration to the Universal Church, and in AMECEA, we will always remember him as a humble, wise, and fearless leader whose enduring legacy included his passion for a Synodal Church,” Bishop Kasonde said in the April 21 message.
The Synod on Synodality, initiated by Pope Francis on 10 October 2021, represents a significant endeavor to foster a more inclusive and participatory Catholic Church. Running from 2021 to 2024, the Synodal process was structured into distinct phases, each aimed at engaging various levels of the Church community.
The Diocesan phase, which ran from October 2021 – April 2022, focused on local consultations, encouraging dioceses worldwide to engage Clergy and laity in dialogues about the Church's mission and challenges. The feedback collected was synthesized into national reports, reflecting the diverse experiences and insights of the faithful.
