Cardinal Ambongo highlights the enduring relevance of Ecclesia in Africa after three decades

Sr. Christine Masivo, CPS – Vatican City

Ecclesia in Africa is the 1995 Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Saint John Paul II which he wrote following the 1994 African Synod.

During the opening of the 13th Plenary Assembly of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa (ACERAC), being held in N’Djamena, Chad, from 25 January to 01 February, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa, emphasised the enduring urgency of Pope Saint John Paul II’s Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation for the Church in Africa. The ACERAC assembly's theme is: “The Challenges of the Church, the Family of God in Central Africa: 30 Years after Ecclesia in Africa.”

Church as Family of God

According to the Church news agency, Agenzia Fides, Cardinal Ambongo, in his capacity as President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), spoke about the enduring significance of the Pope’s Exhortation, Ecclesia in Africa.

“Ecclesia in Africa was a true pastoral roadmap for the continent emerging from colonialism, dictatorship, and divisions—speaking to an Africa marked by vibrant faith and great hope,” he affirmed.

Cardinal Ambongo echoed Pope John Paul II’s words at the conclusion of the first African Synod (Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa), calling upon the African Church to embody a communion rooted in love, reconciliation, justice, and peace.

An invitation to discernment

The Cardinal reminded the gathering that even after three decades, the vision outlined in Ecclesia in Africa remains relevant and is more urgently needed than ever. He urged the Church to engage in ecclesial self-examination. “It invites us to discern what has borne fruit and what remains fragile or incomplete, while renewing our commitment to the mission entrusted to us,” he said.

The call for the Church in Africa to be an agent of reconciliation, justice, peace, and hope—faithful to the Gospel while actively engaging with the concrete realities faced by African societies—is as pertinent today as when the document was first issued, Cardinal Ambongo emphasized.

Three Pastoral Priorities

Cardinal Ambongo highlighted three pastoral priorities that have guided the Church in Central Africa and urged the ACERAC assembly to internalise these:

The Formation of Peacemakers: “Our seminaries, Catholic universities, and educational institutions must form women and men capable of promoting peace,” he said, underscoring the importance of grounding this formation in the Gospel, the Church’s Social Teaching, and practical skills in dialogue and conflict resolution.

Synodal Pastoral Governance: The Cardinal called for a stronger process of synodal listening, shared responsibility, and transparency at the diocesan and parish levels, fostering a sense of unity akin to a family where decisions are made collaboratively.

Prophetic Social Engagement: He further urged the Church in Central Africa to continue strengthening justice and peace commissions, promote civic education, support victims of violence, and create spaces for dialogue that fosters reconciliation and social cohesion.

As the plenary continues in N'Djamena, and as the Bishops of Central African countries reflect together, Cardinal Ambongo encouraged them to consider the conviction that, after three decades of Ecclesia in Africa, the Church in Africa needs to demonstrate that it is living authentically as the “Family of God”—a transformative mission for the continent.