Catholic Theologians Concerned about ‘tensions and conflicts” between Dioceses and Religious Communities in Africa

“In a few instances, their charisms are not allowed to flourish because these religious are forced to either abandon their charism or modify it to suit the specific pastoral taste of a particular bishop or priest,” the theologians further say. 

The PACTPAN and COMSAM palavers have been running since June 7 and are set to end on September 6. Through the palavers, the theologians and other African experts seek to deepen the understanding of the Synthesis Report that came out of the October 2023 session of the Synod on Synodality.

The August 2 session was structured on the topic, “Relationship between Diocesan Bishops and Men and Women Religious in Africa”. 

In their statement ahead of the August 2 palaver, the African theologians refer to the Synthesis Report, which proposes a revision of the “guiding criteria on the relations between Bishops and Religious in the Church”.

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The Synthesis Report proposes studying already existing best practices, of places and means to promote “meetings and forms of collaboration in a synodal spirit between Episcopal Conferences and the Conferences of Superiors and Major Superiors of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life”.

From investigations that PACTPAN and COMSAM conducted, many religious communities report that in some Catholic Dioceses, Bishops ask them to make compulsory monthly or annual contributions to the Diocese “without any dialogue.”

“These contributions are framed as their ‘contribution to the Church’ as if the Religious are outside the Church,” the theologians said, adding that the contributions impose a heavy financial stress and strain on many African religious communities who are said to be already struggling financially. 

“Our network also received news of tension between bishops and religious communities in some dioceses in Africa, leading to the closure or suspension of religious communities in some dioceses and the closure of the churches and schools they serve,” reads in part the PACTPAN and COMSAM concept note.

The organizers of the palaver note that the relationship between Religious communities and Local Ordinaries “has been a source of blessing, but also a source of tension in the Church”.

“Religious communities have contributed to the life of the Church, and to the renewal of the Church particularly in times of spiritual, pastoral or doctrinal crisis or decline,” they say, adding that the Church in Africa is blessed with an exponential growth in Religious communities and charisms as well as growth in vocations to Religious Life. 

According to the theologians, Religious communities have greatly contributed to the visibility and influence of African religion in pastoral ministries such as education, health, faith formation, social ministry to the poor, and advocacy for those at the existential peripheries.

Additionally, the Religious communities play a role in healing ministries, Catholic books and media, and ministries to prisoners, refugees, migrants, trafficked women, and abused women, the theologians say.

African women and men Religious have been in the forefront of ecological conversion and advocacy for climate justice and climate action as well as in promoting human rights, religious freedom, reconciliation, peace building, good governance, and social transformation, the theologians recall in their statement shared with ACI Africa.

They pose, “How are these ministries being supported and promoted by bishops? How do these ministries in specific dioceses reflect the pastoral needs and plan of the host diocese where these religious live and work?” 

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The theologians note that given the vastness of the African continent, there is the need to develop proper canonical protocols, procedures, and best practices for the use of the charisms of ICLSAL in Africa; and for recognizing and accepting these Institutes and Societies in Catholic Dioceses. 

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.