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SECAM to Unveil “Kampala Document” at Virtual Event in Multiple African Countries

Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine, Namugongo, Kampala during the conclusion of SECAM Golden Jubilee in July 2019.

The leadership of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has announced the unveiling of the “Kampala Document” bearing conclusions of the year-long Golden Jubilee of SECAM (July 2018 – July 2019) at a virtual event in four African countries.

In a message shared with ACI Africa, the Secretary General of SECAM, Fr. Terwase Henry Akaabiam says, “The public presentation of the long-awaited Kampala Document will take place on Thursday, 21 January 2021 (9:30 in Burkina Faso and Ghana, 11:30 in South Africa and Mozambique).”

At the conclusion of SECAM’s Golden Jubilee held 19-29 July 2019 in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, SECAM’s leadership said that the outcome of the SECAM discussions would be finalized in a compiled text to be called the “Kampala Document.”

“To keep alive the momentum of the Jubilee, SECAM will issue an important document, the ‘Kampala Document’, which will help the people of God (in Africa) deepen their knowledge of Christ our Saviour and make Him known as the Way, the Truth and the Life,” the President of SECAM, Philippe Cardinal Ouédraogo said in July 2019 during the conclusion the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

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In his January 16 message to ACI Africa, the Secretary General of SECAM, making reference to the “Kampala Document”, said, “Issued by the Bishops of Africa and Madagascar, the Document is addressed to all sons and daughters of Africa and the Islands, and people of good will elsewhere.”

He adds, “It is a Document that all members of the Church-Family of God on the continent and the Islands should be proud of.”

In Burkina Faso, the January 21 event is expected to bring together 150 participants in Ouagadougou in strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.

“With the agreement of His Eminence, President of SECEM, and in the context of the Pandemic, we will invite 150 persons. The Episcopal Conference of Burkina-Niger and its communication staff (5), Parish Priests and institutions (60), the Vicars General of the Diocese (2), the Presidents of the Parish Councils and their delegates (30), National media (4), and Church media (4),” the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Ouagadougou, Fr. Tanguy Raphaël Nana says in his January 19 message addressed to SECAM Secretary General seen by ACI Africa.

He adds, “We will also invite as soon as possible the administrative and political authorities as well as the other religious denominations (Muslims and Protestants).”

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Reflecting on the January 21 program, the Burkinabé Cleric says, “At 9:30 am we will begin with a prayer by Cardinal Ouedraogo in the company of the Auxiliary Bishop, the Vicar General, and the Episcopal Conference delegate.”

“We will take the prayer of Christian unity and then begin the presentation of the document in its main parts. The Cardinal President of SECAM will take care of the presentation of the document!” Fr. Raphaël adds.

The event is expected to be broadcast live on Radio Maria and Television and live-streamed on various Social media platforms.

The presentation will also be done by Visioconference through the following link:

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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5478392297?pwd=NTYvU25XMTFtWHdCWHJNTlY1MWlvZz09.

After the presentation of the document, Fr. Raphaël says, “Priests will carry the message of SECAM to Christians, the Episcopal Conference will transmit the message to Bishops and Christians of other dioceses.”

During the Diocesan and National Pilgrimage in Burkina Faso slated for 7 February 2021, the message in the “Kampala Document” will be shared with the people of God in the West African nation.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.