Fratelli Tutti, Regional Challenges Focus of Planned Plenary of Bishops in West Africa

He adds, “RECOWA has various organs that address the issues of interfaith dialogue, security, good governance, justice and peace.” 

Fr. Samjumi notes that “as RECOWA, the Church has been able to raise concerns and work together on issues bordering on justice and peace.”

“From Senegal to Nigeria, RECOWA has been a strong voice against land grabbing, child trafficking, illegal migration, terrorism, placing the issue of climate change on the concurrent list to curb desertification and many others,” Fr. Samjumi says.

He continues, “These issues will still form part of the agenda at the 2022 plenary, which is expected to bring together over 150 Bishops.”

Reflecting on the history of RECOWA, the regional body which includes Catholic Bishops from 16 countries, CSN Secretary General explains that initially, “the Bishops of West Africa had two different organs of collegiality based on linguistic differences.”

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“The English speaking were in one group known as Association of Episcopal Conferences of Anglophone West Africa (AECAWA established in 1977) while the French speaking were known as Conférence Episcopale Régionale de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CERAO established in 1963),” he adds.

Inspired by the geopolitical forum of the 15 countries in West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Catholic Bishops in the region realized the need for constituting a common forum, Fr. Samjumi has said in the report.

The Catholic Church leaders were also guided by the need to join forces and pool resources together for consolidated pastoral programs, thus resolving “to form one single Episcopal Association that would bring all Bishops of West Africa on one platform,” he says.

“That resolution brought about what is today known as RECOWA/CERAO,” the Nigerian Priest adds.

Making reference to the planned Plenary Assembly of RECOWA in the April 6 report, the Secretary General of CSN appeals to the Laity to “support the entire process, in order to witness a successful hosting, and to the media personnel to give the event the needed publicity.”

“The invocation of the blessings of the Shepherds of the Church in West Africa will be part of the spiritual benefits of hosting the RECOWA General Assembly to Nigeria as a nation,” Fr. Samjumi says.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.