African Palavers on Synod on Synodality Amplified Continent’s Voice in Global Discussions: Cardinal Ambongo

The aim was to deepen the understanding of the Synthesis Report (SR) of the multi-year ongoing Synod on Synodality ahead of the Synod’s second session scheduled to start on October 2 and to end on October 29 in Rome.

Every Friday for the last 14 weeks, over hundreds of people followed the online conversations that were led by three conversation partners: a Bishop, a Priest or Religious, and a lay person. 

Discussions were enriched by African proverbs and content from the Kampala Document that Catholic Bishops in Africa under SECAM released in 2019 on the occasion of its Golden Jubilee celebration.

Also enriching the conversations were excerpts from last year’s Continental synodal report from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as well as the two African synods (1994 and 2009) which organizers of the palavers said “were an effort by the Catholic church to engage with the continent and make her voice heard in the public space.”

Themes included “Listening to the cry of the poor”, “The Synodal Missionary Face of the Church Family of God in Africa” as well as some aspects of the relationship between the Eastern Catholic Churches, Pentecostals, African Independent Churches and the Roman Catholic Church in Africa.

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Participants also deliberated on “How to be a Synodal Church in Mission in Africa” as well as some theological and canonical matters regarding specific ministerial forms and pastoral issues such as polygamy, the permanent Diaconate, as well as the female Diaconate.

The September 27 event was also organized to pray for Africa’s delegates to the second session of the Synod on Synodality.

Cardinal Ambongo lauded the “richness of the exchanges” in the 14 weeks of conversations, noting that participants had had an opportunity to explore the future of the Church in Africa.

“We have participated in enriching dialogues and explored avenues for the future of the Church in Africa through synodality,” the President of SECAM said. 

“Your participation has contributed to the richness of these exchanges,” he told those who attended the conclusion of the palaver series, and added, “It is thanks to this collective exchange that we have been able to address crucial themes for the Church in Africa and around the world.”

“During this series, we have engaged in deep and insightful discussions on the future of the Church in Africa. Focusing on the themes of synodality, we have explored how the Church can really become a Church of God, a Church-Family of God, a community defined by collaboration, unity and co-responsibility,” the Congolese Cardinal further said.

Highlighting some of the themes of the palavers, Cardinal Ambongo said, “We began by discussing the missionary identity of the Church and the crucial role played by the African community in the synodal process. Then we examined the importance of promoting ecumenical relations.”

“We reflected on the mission of the Church in the digital era. And we addressed urgent pastoral issues such as polygamy, permanent diaconate, the role of women in the Church,” he said, and continued, “Our discussions also highlighted the need for synergy between the Bishops, the Consecrated and the ecclesiastical associations, as well as the reflections on the co-responsibility of the pastoral ministry.”

He lauded organizers of the palavers who were led by PACTPAN’s Fr. Stan Chu Ilo, describing their work as “flawless.”

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the ideas and wisdom that you have so generously shared with your brothers and sisters in Africa,” Cardinal Ambongo said, and added, “These are works that will help us enormously during our discussions at the Synod in Rome.”

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He urged those who had participated in the palavers to bring with them the lessons and reflections that were shared in their respective Dioceses, Parishes and local communities.

“May the conversations we have had over the past few weeks inspire you to build a Church that really listens, that walks together and that meets the needs of its people. So go forward with confidence, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, to continue this important work in your churches, in your communities and around you,” Cardinal Ambongo said.

He added, “By closing this series, let us remember that this is only the beginning of our journey. I encourage you all to continue this spirit of unity, dialogue and collaboration, taking care that the fruits of these discussions shape the path of the Church in the years to come.”

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.