Africa's Catholic Bishops Set to Unveil 2025-2028 Strategic Plan at Upcoming 20th Plenary Assembly in Rwanda

The assembly concluded with an appeal to “social and political stakeholders and decision-makers … to do their utmost” to end insecurity on the African continent, further underscoring the need for the Church to “continue to offer everyone reasons for hope and peace in collaboration with organizations working for reconciliation, justice and peace.”

In the July 23 statement on the planned assembly, Fr. Simbine reiterates that the Kigali Assembly will review “a pastoral reflection on accompanying Catholics in complex cultural realities, including polygamous unions.”

This, the Priest says, is in line with the call from the delegates of the Synod on Synodality, which the late Pope Francis officially inaugurated in 2021 and later extended to 2024.

Following the first session from 4-29 October 2023, Catholic Bishops in Africa were called upon “to promote theological and pastoral discernment on the issue of polygamy”.

SECAM members were encouraged to foster “the accompaniment of people in polygamous unions coming to faith.”

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In their July 23 press release, SECAM’s Secretary General said that “theologians across the continent” have been engaged “to explore” the topic of polygamy both “theologically and pastorally.”

At the Kigali Plenary Assembly, SECAM is set to present a pastoral document on “Accompaniment of Persons in Polygamous Situations”.

Other presentations will include a theological reflection on “Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace” and a draft document titled, “The Vision of the Church–Family of God in Africa and its Islands: 2025–2050”.

Fr. Simbine says that the presentations will be enriched with plenary discussions, working groups, liturgical celebrations, departmental reports, and a concluding message to the Church and society.

Additionally, SECAM’s long-term vision document for 2025-2050, built around 12 foundational pillars such as evangelization, family leadership, youth engagement, care for creation, digital mission, and political responsibility, will be discussed.

The Plenary will also feature discussions on governance, justice, peace, interfaith dialogue, climate change, and safeguarding.

In the July 23 press release, the SECAM leadership disclosed the 12 “pillars” key in realizing “a long-term vision” for the people of God in Africa which were identified during the “high-level seminar” as identified in Accra.

They include evangelization that should include Catholic education and theological formation, a Church that is self-reliant, family-based models of leadership, missionary discipleship characterized by synodality, and the care for creation.

Others are youth engagement that combines with ecclesial renewal, the fostering of justice, peace, and integral human development, ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, as well as the aspect of Church and political engagement.

Digital evangelization, the health and well-being of the people of God in Africa, and the liturgical life on the continent are among the 12 “pillars” of the long-term vision of the Church in Africa that will be contained in a “strategic vision document”.

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“This strategic vision document will be presented for discussion and possible adoption” Fr. Simbine said.

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.