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Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Credit: ACI Africa

“Keep the flame of independence burning”: SECAM President to Ghanaians

Mar 7, 2024

The President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has encouraged the people of God in Ghana to keep the flame of their independence alive for the dignity of all African people.

Credit: ACI Africa

Catholic Bishops in Africa, Europe Propose “a healthy Priest exchange program”

Jan 30, 2024

Catholic Bishops in Africa and Europe have expressed their commitment to realizing “pastoral exchange” programs between the two continents, including formation and a program that would see Priests in Africa commissioned to Europe, and vice versa. 

Archbishop Gintaras Linas Grušas, President of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE). Credit: ACI Africa

European Bishops’ Council Official Explains Why “no joint statement” on Fiducia Supplicans

Jan 29, 2024

The divided opinions among members of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE) on the blessing of “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations”, which Fiducia Supplicans (FS) permitted impeded the issuing of a collective statement, the President of the Council has said.

Catholic Bishops on what the Church in Africa is Expecting from Synod on Synodality

Jan 28, 2024

The Church in Africa hopes to see a synodal process that does not allow the Universal Church to “modify divine laws and precepts in order to create room for all”, members of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) have said ahead of the second session of the Synod on Synodality scheduled to take place in October this year.

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo during the closing Mass of the joint meeting between representatives of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE). Credit: Archdiocese of Nairobi

“Bad timing”: SECAM President Says Fiducia Supplicans “damaging” to Synodal Process

Jan 26, 2024

Fiducia Supplicans (FS), the declaration that the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith (DDF) released permitting the blessing of “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations”, after the October 2023 Synod on Synodality conversations in Rome is “damaging” to the synodal process, an African Cardinal has said. 

Representatives of the  Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE). Credit: ACI Africa

Catholic Bishops from Europe, Africa Pledge to Foster “culture of fraternity"

Jan 26, 2024

Catholic Bishops from Europe who met their peers in Africa at a seminar in Nairobi, Kenya have concluded their meeting with a pledge to foster collaboration in tackling Church issues that affect the two continents.

Logo of the of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and the Council of Episcopal Conferences of Europe (CCEE)/ Credit: SECAM/CCEE

Planned Africa, Europe Catholic Bishops’ Seminar to Place “special focus” on Youths

Jan 21, 2024

The planned joint seminar bringing together representatives of Catholic Bishops in Africa and in Europe is to place particular focus on young people in the two continents, the Secretary General (SG) of the the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has said.

Members of the Regional Episcopal Conferences of North Africa (CERNA). Credit: Rabat Archdiocese

Subject Fiducia Supplicans to “calm” Analysis in Ongoing Synod: North Africa Bishops

Jan 17, 2024

There is need to subject Fiducia Supplicans (FS) that permits members of the Clergy to bless “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations” to the ongoing Synod on Synodality that Pope Francis extended to 2024, Catholic Bishops in North Africa have said. 

Pope Francis at his general audience on May 17, 2023 (left) and Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (right). Credit: Daniel Ibanez/SECAM

“Culture does not accept it”: Pope Francis on Africa’s Opposition to Fiducia Supplicans

Jan 15, 2024

Fiducia Supplicans (FS), the December 18 Vatican Declaration permitting members of the Clergy to bless “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations” will not be implemented in Africa “because the culture does not accept it,” Pope Francis has been quoted as saying.

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Credit: ACI Africa

No Blessing for “same-sex couples” in Africa, Catholic Bishops Declare, Vatican Agrees

Jan 11, 2024

The Vatican declaration on the possibility of blessing “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations”, which the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith (DDF) released on December 18 will not be implemented in Africa, Catholic Bishops have said.

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Credit: SECAM

Catholic Bishops in Africa Consult “to provide unequivocal clarity” on Fiducia Supplicans

Dec 21, 2023

Catholic Bishops in Africa are consulting among themselves in view of issuing a “single synodal pronouncement” on Fiducia Supplicans, the Vatican declaration on the possibility of blessing “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations”. 

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo during the 10 December 2023 Eucharistic celebration at the Holy Family Riviera 2 Parish of Abidjan Archdiocese. Credit: Holy Family Riviera 2 Parish

First Catholic Education Congress in Africa Ends with Call to “invest more in education”

Dec 12, 2023

The first African Congress of Catholic Education that kicked off on December 7 in the economic capital city of Ivory Coast, Abidjan, has ended with calls on African nations to increase their respective education budgets.

Members of the Standing Committee of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) with delegates during the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the Pan-African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS) in Lagos, Nigeria. Credit: CEPACS

Bishops in Africa Shine Light on Continent's Crises, Appeal for "culture of fraternity"

Nov 29, 2023

Catholic Bishops in Africa have outlined issues affecting various African countries, including poverty, inter-state conflicts, as well as coups in some places, and  appealed to the continent to nurture a “culture of fraternity”.

A poster announcing the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Pan African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS). Credit Lagos Archdiocese

Africa Bishops’ Communication Committee to Mark 50 Years with Focus on “Synodal Church”

Nov 15, 2023

The planned Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Pan African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS), an entity of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)  will be a moment to foster “a Synodal Church”.

A poster announcing the November 15 webinar. Credit: African Synodality Initiative (ASI)

African Delegates to Share Experience, Lessons from Synod on Synodality in Planned Webinar

Oct 31, 2023

African delegates who participated in the October 4-29 XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome are expected to share their experience and lessons from the meeting in a webinar scheduled for November 15.

The IMF logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington. Credit: IMF

World Bank/IMF Leaders Need to Foster Africa’s “fresh journey, hope, dignity”: SECAM

Oct 15, 2023

World leaders participating in the 2023 World Bank Group - International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Marrakech, Morocco, need to foster Africa’s economic interests, envisioning “a fresh journey” and a path that promotes “hope and dignity” on the continent, Catholic Bishops in Africa have said.

A poster announcing the Faith and the Future: Empowering Environmental Stewardship through the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT). Credit: Laudato Si' Movement Africa

Catholic Bishops in Africa Call for Urgent Commitment to Earth-Friendly Policies at COP28

Oct 13, 2023

Members of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) are calling on world leaders expected to be part of the planned 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to come up with policies that are earth-friendly in order to avert the effects of climate change.

Credit: AFP via Getty Images/Carl Court/Getty Images

Bishops in Africa in “complete solidarity” with Libya, Morocco after Floods, Earthquake

Sep 25, 2023

Members of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) have said they are in “complete solidarity” with the people of God in Morocco and Libya following the natural disasters in the two Northern African countries earlier this month. 

Logo of the African Union (AU). Credit : AU

"Make Africa's voice heard" at G20: Catholic Bishops in Africa to African Union Leadership

Sep 18, 2023

Now that the African Union (AU) is a permanent member of the Group of Twenty (G20), its leadership has to be vocal about Africa’s interests, and help realize “economic justice” and “lasting peace” across the globe, Catholic Bishops in Africa have said. 

Screenshot of military officers in Gabon announcing that they had seized power. Credit: Gabon National Television

What SECAM Wants Done to Address Crises in Coup-affected Countries in Africa

Sep 9, 2023

Members of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) have weighed in on military coups that have affected African countries in recent years.