Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)
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    • 20th Plenary Assembly of SECAM in Kigali: Opening Ceremony
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    • Some Cardinals and Bishops after the Opening Mass of the 20th SECAM Plenary Assembly celebrated on 31st July 2025, at the Regina Pacis parish in Kigali, Rwanda
    • Officials at the Opening Ceremony of the 20th SECAM Plenary Assembly in Kigali from 31 th July to 4th August 2025
    • Participants at the Opening Ceremony of the 20th SECAM Plenary Assembly in Kigali from 31 th July to 4th August 2025 (1)
    • Participants at the Opening Ceremony of the 20th SECAM Plenary Assembly in Kigali from 31 th July to 4th August 2025 (2)
    • Final Mass of the 20th SECAM Plenary Assembly celebrated on 3rd August 2025, at Our-Lady of Kibeho Sanctuary, Rwanda (1)
    • Final Mass of the 20th SECAM Plenary Assembly celebrated on 3rd August 2025, at Our-Lady of Kibeho Sanctuary, Rwanda (2)
    • Final Mass of the 20th SECAM Plenary Assembly celebrated on 3rd August 2025, at Our-Lady of Kibeho Sanctuary, Rwanda (3)
    • Final Mass of the 20th SECAM Plenary Assembly celebrated on 3rd August 2025, at Our-Lady of Kibeho Sanctuary, Rwanda (4)
    • Final Mass of the 20th SECAM Plenary Assembly celebrated on 3rd August 2025, at Our-Lady of Kibeho Sanctuary, Rwanda (5)
    • Group Photo of some Cardinals, Bishops and Priests, after the Final Mass of the 20th SECAM Plenary Assembly celebrated on 3rd August 2025, at Our-Lady of Kibeho Sanctuary, Rwanda
    • Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, SECAM President, during the 20th SECAM Plenary Assembly in Kigali from 31 th July to 4th August 2025 (1)
    • Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, SECAM President, during the 20th SECAM Plenary Assembly in Kigali from 31 th July to 4th August 2025 (2)
    • Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, Archbishop of Kigali and President of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda, during the 20th SECAM Plenary Assembly in Kigali from 31 th July to 4th August 2025
    • Participants during the 20th SECAM Plenary Assembly in Kigali from 31 th July to 4th August 2025 (1)
    • Participants during the 20th SECAM Plenary Assembly in Kigali from 31 th July to 4th August 2025 (2)
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Source: Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) |

Message of the 20th Plenary Assembly of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)

Gathered in Kigali, Rwanda, from 30 July to 4 August 2025, the 20th Plenary Assembly of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) focused on the theme: “Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace: The Vision of the Church-Family of God in Africa for the Next 25 Years (2025–2050)”

Following addresses by speakers from Africa and beyond, and fruitful deliberations, we, Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops, members of SECAM (www.SECAM.org), address this message to the Church, the Family of God in Africa and its Islands, as well as to all people of goodwill. In our Final Message of the 19th…

Source: Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) |

Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) to hold its 20th Plenary Assembly in Kigali, Rwanda

The Assembly will also unveil the Triennial Strategic Plan (2025–2028) and initiate the renewal of SECAM’s leadership in line with its constitution

The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (https://SECAM.org) will convene for its 20th Plenary Assembly from July 30 to August 4, 2025, in Kigali, Rwanda, under the theme: “Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace.” The plenary will bring together over 250 participants, including Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Consecrated…

Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)
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    • Some Bishops after the final Mass of a seminar for new bishops in Africa, in Accra, Ghana, in February 2025
    • Some Bishops and priests after Mass in Kibeho, Rwanda, during the SECAM Standing Committee meeting in Kigali, in November 2024
    • Some Bishops with Ghanaian authorities during the SECAM Plenary Assembly in Accra, Ghana, in 2022
    • Some Bishops during the SECAM Plenary Assembly in Kampala, Uganda, in 2019
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Source: Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) |

Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) Announces 20th Plenary Assembly in Rwanda

The Catholic Church in Africa charts its vision for the next 25 years

The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (https://SECAM.org) is pleased to announce its 20th Plenary Assembly, scheduled to take place from 30 July to 4 August 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda, under the theme: “Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace.” This Assembly, coinciding with the Jubilee Year, offers…

Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)
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    • Message of the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) on the occasion of the celebration of Africa Day, 25 May 2025
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Message of the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) on the occasion of the celebration of Africa Day, 25 May 2025

Let us be the architects of “the Africa we want”

My dear brothers and sisters of our beloved Africa and its islands, It is with pride, but also with a great concern that I address you on this African day of 25 May, while we are celebrating the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU)…

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Joint Statement of Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) ahead of the AU – EU Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 21 May 2025

Africa needs a transformation rooted in the Gospel values of care for creation, solidarity with the poor, and the pursuit of peace

As shepherds of the Catholic Church in Africa and in Europe, we, the bishops of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (www.SECAM.org) and of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), speak today with a voice formed by the lived realities of…

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Africa Welcomes Pope Leo XIV with Joy and Hope

A Message from the African Bishops and the Church, Family of God in Africa and Its Islands

The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (www.SECAM.org), together with the entire Church, Family of God in Africa and its Islands, joyfully joins the universal Church in giving thanks to God for the gift of our new Supreme Pontiff, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. This historic moment…

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Death of Pope Francis : The condolences of the African Bishops and of the Church, Family of God in Africa and its Islands

We honor Pope Francis’s life by continuing his mission of love and service, striving to build a Church that is truly inclusive and a world that reflects God's kingdom

The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (https://SECAM.org) and the entire Church, Family of God in Africa and its Islands join the universal Church in mourning the passing of our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis.  Pope Francis has been more than a shepherd to the universal Church;…

Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)
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    • His Eminence Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (1). Image Source: SECAM
    • His Eminence Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (2). Image Source: SECAM
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Celebrating Women: Rights, Equality and Empowerment

Message of the Catholic Church in Africa for the International Women's Day

Today, we join the global community in celebrating International Women's Day, a day dedicated to honoring the invaluable contributions of women and girls to our families, communities, and the world at large. This year’s theme, “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”, resonates deeply with our mission as a Church and…

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Addis Ababa Declaration by Religious, Interfaith, Ethical, and Scientific Organisations on Reparations

The demand for reparations signifies a concrete step toward addressing historical wrongs and fostering healing among the peoples of Africa and those of African descent

We, the delegates participating in the Conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 27 to 28 February 2025, under the theme “The Role of Faith Communities and Ethical Organisations in Advancing Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” along with representatives from religious organisations, scientific and ethical…

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Faith and Ethical Communities Unite to Champion Reparative Justice for Africans and People of African Descent

By collaborating with the AU and global stakeholders, these organizations can play a transformative role in advancing justice and restitution for Africans and people of African descent

In alignment with the African Union’s (AU) 2025 theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” a two-day workshop will be held on February 27-28, 2025, at the Kuriftu Resort African Village and the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This initiative aims to address the…