By Fr. Johnston Mlambo
The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) concluded its 20th Plenary Assembly in Kigali, Rwanda, with delegates making a pilgrimage to commend the meeting’s resolutions to Our Lady of Kibeho.
Saturday was another fully packed day, beginning with a Mass in honour of St John Paul II, offered especially for the youth.
The Mass was celebrated by the Most Rev. Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba, President of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and Vice President of the IMBISA region.
In his homily, Archbishop Imbamba reflected on St John Paul II as a pastor with a heart for young people—many of whom today, he noted, are disillusioned and face the challenges of migration, drug abuse, and unemployment. He recalled how St John Paul II had urged young people to have courage and to place their hope in the Lord.
The Archbishop also called on bishops to be true shepherds, attentive to the needs of young people. He concluded by entrusting the youth of Africa and Madagascar to the intercession of Our Lady of Kibeho.
After the Mass, discussions resumed with a focus on the pastoral care of those in polygamous unions. Following an overnight review of the draft document, the bishops voted to adopt it.
The session then turned to financial matters. Member countries in arrears were encouraged to clear their outstanding contributions and to ensure payment of the annual subscription fee of US$500 per diocese.
Delegates also heard presentations on projects planned by SECAM in Nairobi and Ghana.
In Nairobi, Kenya, the Assembly approved and gave the green light to a Biblical Centre project.
In Ghana, land donated by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference will be used to develop the SECAM headquarters into a commercial complex to help generate income. This project was also approved.
The Assembly further received a presentation on the new leadership of SECAM’s Secretariat and Commissions:
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Secretary General: Fr Rafael Simbine Junior
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First Deputy Secretary General: Fr Zephirine Moube
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Second Deputy Secretary General: Fr Uchechukwu Obodoechina
Commissions:
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Evangelisation Commission
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Justice, Peace and Development Commission
Additional Secretariat appointments include:
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Mgr Francis Bernadine (Tanzania) – CEPACS (Communications Commission)
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Rev. Zephirine (Cameroon) – First General Secretary in charge of Evangelisation
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Fr Anselm – Administrative Secretary of SECAM
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Justice and Peace Commissions – Obede Wechuna Uchechukwu
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Representative to the African Union – Mr Luis Emerick (Congo Brazzaville)
In the afternoon, bishops, archbishops, and cardinals met privately, while Regional and National Secretaries General also held separate meetings to discuss administrative issues. Members of the SECAM Standing Committee paid a courtesy call on the President of Rwanda.
The Plenary Assembly concluded on Sunday, 3 August, with a solemn closing Mass, after which the delegates embarked on a pilgrimage to Kibeho, entrusting all the Assembly’s resolutions to the maternal care of Our Lady of Kibeho.