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Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo (Center) during the October 12 conference marking the 60th anniversary of the canonization of the Martyrs of Uganda. Credit: SECAM

“The Church cannot remain silent”: SECAM President Speaks Out against Exploitation of Africa’s Mineral Resources

Oct 17, 2024

The President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has urged the Church to take a firm stand against the illegal exploitation of Africa’s mineral resources.

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo (left) and Fr. Rafael Simbine Junior (right) during the 25 April 2024 press conference. Credit: ACI Africa

Church in Africa Acts on Synod on Synodality Call to “theological, pastoral discernment” on Polygamy, Creates Commission

May 3, 2024

The leadership of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has responded to the call of the first session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to discern pastoral care towards persons in polygamous unions.

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo confirmed President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Credit: ACI Africa

Clergy, Laity in DR Congo Condemn Judicial Enquiry against Cardinal Ambongo as “shameful initiative”

May 2, 2024

The move to subject Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo of the Democratic Republic of Congo to a judicial enquiry is a “shameful initiative”, the Clergy and Laity in the Central African nation have said. 

The “distinct cultural, community forces” Africa’s Delegates to Synod on Synodality Want Integrated into Church Mission

Apr 26, 2024

Embracing the new way of being Church through Small Christian Communities (SCCs) and living out the spirit of “Ubuntu” are the two particular “cultural and community forces” that delegates representing the Church in Africa at the ongoing Synod on Synodality want integrated into the continental mission of the Church.

Chancery of DR Congo’s Kinshasa Archdiocese Decries Sunday “degrading treatment” Cardinal Ambongo Suffered at Airport

Apr 15, 2024

The Chancery of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has decried the “degrading treatment” that Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo suffered under officials at the N'djili International Airport.

Easter Message: Cardinal Ambongo Decries Insecurity, Says DR Congo “seriously ill, almost in a comatose state”

Apr 1, 2024

The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, has decried the persistent security challenge in country, and described the Central African nation as “seriously ill” and in coma.

Credit: Zerbor/Shutterstock

DR Congo’s Lifting of Moratorium on Death Penalty “a step backwards”: Cardinal Ambongo

Mar 20, 2024

The decision by the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to lift a 2003 ban on the death penalty is retrogressive, the Local Ordinary of the country’s Kinshasa Archdiocese, Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, has said.

A screenshot of Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo during the March 17 interview with KTO. Credit: KTO

In Africa, Fiducia Supplicans Perceived as “cultural colonization, Western imperialism”: SECAM President

Mar 19, 2024

Fiducia Supplicans (FS), the declaration by the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith (DDF) permitting the blessing of “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations”,  was perceived as “cultural colonization” in Africa, the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has said. 

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Credit: SECAM

Africa Not “adequately” Benefiting from Foreign Investment in Its Riches: Cardinal Ambongo

Mar 12, 2024

Local populations in Africa are not “adequately” benefiting from their natural resources that foreign entities venture into, Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), has said.

Participants at the SECAM seminar on the theme “Conflicts in Africa in the context of the exploitation of natural and mining resources”, from March 8 to 10, 2024, in Accra, Ghana. Credit: SECAM

SECAM Advocates for Continental Prayer Day to “amplify voices of marginalized” in Africa

Mar 12, 2024

Participants in the seminar that the leadership of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) convened in Ghana’s capital, Accra, have advocated for the creation of a Continental Prayer Day aimed at bringing to the light particular challenges the people of God grapple with in their respective African countries.

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Credit: ACI Africa

“Keep the flame of independence burning”: SECAM President to Ghanaians

Mar 7, 2024

The President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has encouraged the people of God in Ghana to keep the flame of their independence alive for the dignity of all African people.

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo. Credit: ACI Africa

Use Lent to Examine Pastoral Structures with “clear, forward-looking vision”: DRC Cardinal

Feb 15, 2024

The Archbishop of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has called upon the people of God in his Metropolitan See to use the Lenten Season to examine pastoral “structures and infrastructures” in line with the theme of the Pastoral Year 2024.

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo during the closing Mass of the Plenary Assembly of  members of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa (ACEAC). Credit: Radio Okapi

“Our hearts have become insensitive”: Congolese Cardinal on Violence in Great Lakes Region

Jan 31, 2024

The violent conflicts in the Great Lakes region go beyond politics, to include economic challenges, but even more concerning, “insensitive” hearts that are “indifferent” to human suffering, the Catholic Archbishop of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo has said.

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo during the closing Mass of the joint meeting between representatives of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE). Credit: Archdiocese of Nairobi

“Bad timing”: SECAM President Says Fiducia Supplicans “damaging” to Synodal Process

Jan 26, 2024

Fiducia Supplicans (FS), the declaration that the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith (DDF) released permitting the blessing of “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations”, after the October 2023 Synod on Synodality conversations in Rome is “damaging” to the synodal process, an African Cardinal has said. 

Members of the Regional Episcopal Conferences of North Africa (CERNA). Credit: Rabat Archdiocese

Subject Fiducia Supplicans to “calm” Analysis in Ongoing Synod: North Africa Bishops

Jan 17, 2024

There is need to subject Fiducia Supplicans (FS) that permits members of the Clergy to bless “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations” to the ongoing Synod on Synodality that Pope Francis extended to 2024, Catholic Bishops in North Africa have said. 

Pope Francis at his general audience on May 17, 2023 (left) and Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (right). Credit: Daniel Ibanez/SECAM

“Culture does not accept it”: Pope Francis on Africa’s Opposition to Fiducia Supplicans

Jan 15, 2024

Fiducia Supplicans (FS), the December 18 Vatican Declaration permitting members of the Clergy to bless “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations” will not be implemented in Africa “because the culture does not accept it,” Pope Francis has been quoted as saying.

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Credit: ACI Africa

No Blessing for “same-sex couples” in Africa, Catholic Bishops Declare, Vatican Agrees

Jan 11, 2024

The Vatican declaration on the possibility of blessing “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations”, which the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith (DDF) released on December 18 will not be implemented in Africa, Catholic Bishops have said.

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Credit: SECAM

Catholic Bishops in Africa Consult “to provide unequivocal clarity” on Fiducia Supplicans

Dec 21, 2023

Catholic Bishops in Africa are consulting among themselves in view of issuing a “single synodal pronouncement” on Fiducia Supplicans, the Vatican declaration on the possibility of blessing “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations”. 

Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo during the 10 December 2023 Eucharistic celebration at the Holy Family Riviera 2 Parish of Abidjan Archdiocese. Credit: Holy Family Riviera 2 Parish

First Catholic Education Congress in Africa Ends with Call to “invest more in education”

Dec 12, 2023

The first African Congress of Catholic Education that kicked off on December 7 in the economic capital city of Ivory Coast, Abidjan, has ended with calls on African nations to increase their respective education budgets.

Delegates at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Pan-African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS). Credit: CEPACS

What Bishops, Communicators Resolved to Revamp Africa Bishops’ Communication Committee

Dec 5, 2023

Creating more “awareness and visibility” of the Pan-African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS), and the development of a long-term strategic plan are among the envisaged plans to revamp the entity of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).