Catholic bishops from Africa and Europe discussed reforms of the Roman Curia, the Synod on Synodality and the role of youth in the Church at the seventh joint seminar held in Nairobi over 23- 26 January.
The 20 bishops, half from the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa (SECAM) and half from the Council of European Bishops’ Conference (CCEE) convened under the theme “Synodality: Africa and Europe Walking Together”.
The meeting was originally scheduled for 2021 but was postponed by the Covid pandemic.
At a press conference concluding the meeting, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of Kinshasa, the president of SECAM, and his CCEE counterpart Archbishop Gintaras Grušas of Vilnius, said they had discussed the significant reform of the Roman Curia in the new apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium, which took effect in June 2022.
They had also reviewed the first session of the Synod on Synodality held in Rome last October and the role and participation of the youth in the Church's life and mission, among other issues shaping the future.
According to the bishops, the curial reform represented a significant achievement in aligning the Church with the demands and challenges of the twenty-first century.
“It underscores a shift towards a more missionary, collaborative, and inclusive Church, where the laity's participation is as vital as that of the clergy,” the conference presidents said on 25 January.
On the Synod on Synodality, the bishops shared insights from both European and African perspectives, acknowledging their distinct cultural and ecclesial identities.
“The European experience, enriched by its diverse ecclesial identity, and the African perspective, with its emphasis on communal values and practices, both contribute significantly to the global Church's journey towards a more synodal structure,” they said.
Cardinal Ambongo and Archbishop Grusas said the bishops had emphasised the need to listen to young people, who have a unique perspective and energy crucial for the Church’s growth and relevance.
“This engagement with the youth is not a mere inclusion – it is a vital step towards ensuring a dynamic, vibrant, and relevant Church community,” they said.
Asked why the CCEE has not issued a collective response as SECAM had to Fiducia Supplicans, the Vatican document on pastoral blessings for “irregular” couples, Archbishop Grušas said that “the bishops of Europe in each conference have responded to the documents in a very different respect” and “do not have a single voice or a single view on the matter”.
Ahead of the meeting, SECAM’s general secretary Fr Rafael Simbine Jnr said it marked “a continued commitment to fostering deeper communion and solidarity between the churches in Africa and Europe”.
“Since its inception in 2004, the collaboration has become a vital platform for dialogue and mutual understanding,” he said.
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