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

A Call for People-Centered Development and Reparatory Justice in African Union (AU)-European Union (EU) Engagements

Press Statement by SECAM on the 7TH AU–EU Summit In Luanda

1. Introduction: Why the Church’s Voice Matters As the AU–EU Summit convenes in Luanda, the Catholic Church in Africa, represented by the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (https://SECAM.org/), reaches out to all people of goodwill with a message of concern, truth, and hope. We speak as…

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

For a partnership that brings justice for the African people: Joint statement in view of the 7th AU-EU summit

The 7th AU-EU summit, taking place in the AU’s Year of Reparations, must offer reparations for historical injustices and exploitation inflicted on the African continent

In this Jubilee Year 2025 – a special year of forgiveness and reconciliation that the Catholic Church celebrates every 25 years – and as we soon begin the African Union’s decade of reparations, we welcome the 7th AU-EU summit as an opportunity to work together on the building blocks of…

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

Statement of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM): Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing Africa’s Resilient and Green Development in Africa

Second Africa Climate Summit

The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (www.SECAM.org) affirms that the climate crisis is both a moral and ecological emergency. Africa bears disproportionate impacts—droughts, cyclones, floods, desertification—despite contributing least to global emissions. The Catholic Church in Africa calls for bold, fair, and urgent action to ensure that…

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…

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

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…

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

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…

Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)

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    • Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo (middle) presenting a conference in Rome on October 12, 2024, on the theme of “Modern martyrs, victims of the exploitation of mineral resources in Africa: Realities and perspectives of the outgoing Church”
    • Partial view of the conference room, during the presentation of the theme “Modern martyrs, victims of the exploitation of mineral resources in Africa: Realities and perspectives of the outgoing Church”, by Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo (front, center) at the conference held on October 12, 2024, in Rome
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Source: Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) |

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo: “The Church cannot remain silent in the face of the illegal exploitation of mineral resources in Africa”

Many people suffer and die because of the exploitation of mineral resources in Africa

“Modern martyrs, victims of the exploitation of mineral resources in Africa: Realities and perspectives of the outgoing Church”. This is the theme of a conference presented on October 12 in Rome by Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa (DR Congo) and President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of…

Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)

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    • Participants of the SECAM Meeting with National and Regional Secretaries General in Brazzaville, Congo, July 24-29, including the annual celebration of SECAM Day
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Source: Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) |

Annual Celebration of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) Day 2024 (28th & 29th July 2024): “You Africans are Missionaries to Yourselves”- Message from SECAM President

This year, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the canonization of the Martyrs of Uganda (1964-2024), we are celebrating SECAM Day in a very special way

Introduction Once again, the Catholic Church in Africa is celebrating SECAM Day with gratitude - the day on which the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (www.SECAM.org/) was founded by African Bishops. SECAM is continental body of liaison, study and consultation created to preserve, encourage and promote…

Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)

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    • The Secretary General of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SCEAM), Rev. Rafael Simbine Junior (left), greeting Pope Francis (right), represented the African continent during a session in Rome from November 28 to 30, 2022
    • Bishops, priests and lay Catholics during the “Continental Synodal Assembly of Africa”, March 1-6, 2023, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (1)
    • Bishops, priests and lay Catholics during the “Continental Synodal Assembly of Africa”, March 1-6, 2023, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2)
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Source: Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) |

Preparatory Workshop for the African Delegates to the Second Session of the Synod on Synodality

Towards October 2024: “How can we be a Synodal Church in mission?”

The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (SECAM.org), in collaboration with the African Synodality Initiative (ASI) is organizing a workshop for the African Delegates to the Second Session of the Synod on Synodality in October 2024. The workshop is scheduled to take place from 23 – 26…