‘Together, we discern’ – West African Bishops call for co-responsibility in Church

West Africa’s Catholic bishops have called for a renewed sense of shared responsibility in the Church, saying every baptized person has a role to play in shaping its mission and future.

In a statement issued at the end of their 5th Plenary Assembly held in Dakar, Senegal, from 5 to 12 May 2025, the Reunion of Episcopal Conferences of West Africa (RECOWA) said the Church must become a space of listening, dialogue and cooperation among all its members.

“Together, we discern, we listen, we dialogue, not to impose ideas, but to seek God’s will in a spirit of humility,” the bishops said in their 11 May message. “Every baptized person is called to participate actively in the life of the Church.”

The Bishops urged both clergy and laity to embrace a synodal way of being Church — one where decision-making and mission are shared rather than centralised.

“This is not a simple sharing of tasks,” the bishops said, “but a profound commitment to carrying out the mission of evangelisation together, in mutual trust, complementarity, respect, and acceptance of charisms.”

Describing the Church as “not a fixed structure, but as a people on the move,” the bishops encouraged West African Catholics to allow themselves to be led by the Holy Spirit, particularly in regions affected by political instability, poverty and religious tension.

“The Holy Spirit, guide of our path, invites us to leave our comforts, to overcome our divisions, and to build a fraternal, open and bold Church where justice and peace reign,” the statement said.

The bishops also stressed that each local Church, rich in its unique gifts, has a responsibility to others. They urged communities to reject the temptation of isolation or competition.

“In this dynamic, each community… is not an isolated entity, but a living member of a single body,” they wrote. “The sharing of gifts… becomes a prophetic act that reverses the logic of competition and self-sufficiency.”

That sharing — whether spiritual, material, or cultural — was described as key to building a more just and inclusive Church across the sub-region.

In a region where the Church has long depended on outside funding, RECOWA made a strong case for greater financial and pastoral independence.

“This Church… does not depend solely on external support or distant patrons to carry out its mission,” the bishops said. “It relies primarily on the concrete commitment of its members.”

They added that true autonomy must be rooted in transparency, accountability and solidarity: “This independence requires a strong culture of transparency, virtuous management, and sustainable solidarity.”