Family, Heart of the Mission of the Church in Africa The 17th Plenary Assembly of SECAM (Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar) was held from 18 to 25 July 2016 in Luanda, Angola under the theme “The African Family Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow in the Light of the Gospel“.

This meeting is the most recent of the dynamic triennial meeting held by the Bishops of Africa and Madagascar to evaluate the pastoral activities of the Church in Africa and reflect on the socio-political situation of the continent. This year, two themes nourished the debates. First, was the issue of family, which was the central theme of the conference; the second issue concerned the unity and the future of SECAM. On the issue of the family, the Bishops of Africa and Madagascar “in the line with the two synods of the universal Church on Family and the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis Amoris Laetitia, wished to pursue [the] reflection on some concrete pastoral issues concerning the Family, in response to the synod expectation, as entrusted to [them] by the synod fathers” (Message, Article 5).
Taking into account the socio-cultural realities of the African continent, 20 recommendations were made in order to develop some practical ways to address the challenges that undermine the welfare of the family in Africa. At the heart of their recommendations and their final Pastoral Message, the Bishops of Africa and Madagascar reaffirmed in a firm language the sanctity of the family and called for the protection, the defence, of this divino-humano institution against all external and internal form of attacks. The Bishops urged all pastoral agents to more involvement in the pastoral care of families. They also called upon the political leaders to be responsible in making political and legislative decisions in order to preserve the sanctity of family. Secondly, the Bishops of Africa and Madagascar reflected on the future of their institution that is SECAM. Bishops exhorted theirselves to be more committed to make this institution stronger in order to help the Church in Africa in her mission of being witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They entrusted into the hands of God the preparations of the fiftieth anniversary of their institutions which will take place in 2019 in Uganda. They also discussed the socio-political situation of the continent. They strongly condemned all political and religious acts of violence which are subjecting African populations. They recommended dialogue for peaceful resolution of conflicts. Not to fall into despair, they called the African people to keep the flame of hope in a better future always strongly burning. Finally, they prayed that God, through the intercession of Mary, would protect families and African populations. Appointment was taken for 2019 in Uganda.

P. Donald Zagoré, Sma
Participant to the Assembly.