In a collaborative effort between the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and the African Synodality Initiative (ASI), a preparatory workshop for the African Delegates to the Second Session of the Synod on Synodality is underway in Nairobi, Kenya.
The workshop, spanning from April 23 to 26, 2024, serves as a crucial platform for approximately 50 delegates and experts from various regions of the African continent and its islands to deliberate on the theme: “How can we be a Synodal Church in mission?”
Fr. Rafael Simbine Junior, SECAM Secretary General, emphasized the significance of the workshop, stating, “This gathering provides an invaluable opportunity for delegates to reflect on their experiences since the first session in October 2023 and deepen their understanding of synodality.”
The objectives of the workshop, as outlined by SECAM, aim to foster dialogue and discernment among participants. “We want to facilitate a robust exchange of ideas and experiences,” said Fr. Simbine, “to ultimately contribute to the growth of a missionary synodal dynamism within the Church.”
Addressing the forthcoming Synod session scheduled for October 2024, the workshop seeks to equip delegates with insights and practices conducive to a synodal Church. Fr. Simbine underscored the importance of sharing these experiences with the General Secretariat in Rome by May 15, 2024.
The workshop comes on the heels of the first Synod session held in the Vatican City last year, which saw the participation of 364 delegates from around the globe. With anticipation building for the upcoming session, Fr. Simbine expressed hope that the African delegates would make significant contributions towards shaping the future of the Church.
