Indian Ocean Catholic Bishops Pledge “full collaboration” with Pope Leo XIV in His Petrine Ministry

They highlight the unique context of the Indian Ocean islands, where multicultural and multireligious dynamics offer fertile ground for dialogue and peacebuilding.

“Living in multicultural islands, we believe we can contribute to intercultural and interreligious dialogue, a factor so important for the promotion of peace, this gift from God,” they say in the statement that CEDOI President, Bishop Alain Harel of Port Victoria o Seychelles Diocese, signed.

They continue, “As our islands are particularly vulnerable to climate change, we commit to making our voices heard for an integral ecology, a fundamental issue for the future of humanity.”

“It is also with great enthusiasm that we embrace this journey of synodality for the renewal of the vitality of our Christian communities, by rooting ourselves in Jesus, the living source of our faith. A Church of communion and participation in view of the mission,” CEDOI members say in their May 23 statement.

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.