West Africa’s Catholic Priests End Congress with Pledge to Foster Intercultural Dialogue to Demolish “walls of hatred”

They further commit to “play a prophetic role in awakening consciences”, doing their part to ensure that social concerns are given due consideration in the formulation of development policies and economic strategies across their respective nations.

The need to “transform theology into a practical tool” that integrates methodical analysis of revealed truths is a commitment RUPWA members have taken up, which they say would go a long way in allowing the expression of faith to serve as a genuine “force for social transformation.”

The Catholic Priests ministering in the 16 countries of RECOWA also express their commitment to “establishing appropriate frameworks for awareness-raising and the ongoing formation of Clergy,” and to “supporting state authorities in promoting human dignity” through the creation of professional integration centers for specific groups in society, especially youths, vulnerable women, and street children.

They pledge to “denounce the root causes of human suffering—beyond visible symptoms—by adopting a more credible and holistic political, social, environmental, and economic approach.”

In their statement, the Catholic Priests ministering in Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde, Guinea Guinea, and Togo go on to underline the need for collective effort from the governments and states, RECOWA members, and the Laity in addressing the challenges in the region.

More in Africa

How Salesians in Nigeria Are Addressing Challenges of Traditional Religions, Quick Wealth Pursuits among Youths

Read the article

To the governments in the region, RUPWA members urge that they prioritize the protection of “all components of the population, especially in the most perilous and exposed areas.”

They call on governments in West Africa to strengthen and promote collaboration between the Church and the State to foster “a harmonious society” and to effectively address security challenges to guarantee peace, stability, and the well-being of the population.

In the statement that their president, Fr. Aloyse Sene and Deputy Secretary General, Fr. Daniel Kassi, co-signed, the Catholic Priests urge RECOWA members to “give greater importance to the unions and brotherhoods of Priests in their countries and provide them with a seat within the Episcopal Conference.”

RUPWA members further appeal to RECOWA members to strengthen collaboration between themselves and the Clergy to “serve God's people by nourishing them spiritually, as well as promoting actions aimed at the comprehensive well-being of all.”

For the Laity, Catholic Priests in West Africa want the promotion of “greater collaboration with Priests to build a more synodal Church and to develop an environment of mutual trust and joint action to eradicate poverty.”

RUPWA members also highlight the formation of Laity as important, to “motivate them to engage in the public sphere and decision-making bodies.”

“Giving thanks to God for this 11th congress, which concludes on notes of hope, the Priests of West Africa entrust the fruits of this congress in Cotonou to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Africa and Mother of Priests, for a synodal renewal of the Church in Africa,” they say in the statement issued on Sunday, June 15, the Solemnity of the most Holy Trinity.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.