Pope: Even amid crises, Church in Africa 'is a living, strong, dynamic reality’

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

“As pastors, you face urgent issues that present themselves with particular intensity in your pastoral ministry.”

Pope Leo XIV made this remark in his message to the bishops of Central Africa, sent on his behalf by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The message, sent for the 13th General Assembly of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of the Central African Region (ACERAC), which includes Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, and Chad, was read by the Apostolic Nuncio in Chad, Archbishop Giuseppe Laterza, at the start of the meeting.

The Jan. 25 - Feb. 1 meeting is taking place in Chad with the theme “The challenges of the Church, Family of God in Central Africa: thirty years after the publication of the post-synodal apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in Africa.”

Addressed to ACERAC President Bishop Martin Waïngue Bani of Chad, the Pope’s message expressed his spiritual closeness, reassuring the bishops of his “full awareness” of the zeal with which they work daily in the service of the communities entrusted to their pastoral care.

Pope Leo never ceases to give thanks

Pope Leo said he “never ceases to give thanks” as he prays for them, along with “the priests, collaborators, deacons, men and women religious, and lay faithful who share in your joy and your responsibility as witnesses of Christ in all areas of ecclesial life.”

The Pope praised their efforts, nourished by their regular meetings: to increase faith, hope, and charity in the hearts of Christians; to develop relations with other religious communities and with civil authorities; to make the Gospel present within culture and the social fabric; to protect human life; to promote peace and justice; to care for vulnerable persons who are victims of conflict; and to defend creation.

He noted that their open exchanges and fraternity give strength and vitality to the common commitment to the one Church of Christ.

Ecclesia in Africa

In a special way, the Pope recalled that in the year 2026, the Church commemorates the 31st anniversary of Ecclesia in Africa, which affirms: “The Lord has visited His people who are in Africa. Indeed, this continent is today experiencing what can be called signs of the times, a favorable moment, a day of salvation for Africa.” 

With this in mind, Pope Leo marveled, “The Church in Africa is indeed a living, strong, and dynamic reality.” Pope Leo said that the document, thirty‑one years later, remains fully relevant.

Do not adapt the Gospel to the world

The Pope went on to acknowledge the difficulties they regularly face in serving their faithful, noting that one important area is that of the inculturation of the faith. “This does not mean,” he clarified, “adapting the Gospel to the world, but rather finding within each culture the appropriate forms for proclaiming the Word that does not pass away, a Word that gives life and serves human existence.”

“Faced with the evils that undermine society — such as tribalism, interethnic conflicts, wars, family divisions, and the like,” Pope Leo observed, “the Gospel calls for reconciliation and the pacification of hearts.”

Shaken by crises

While reiterating that the Church’s synodal journey calls pastors to draw close to the people entrusted to them in a spirit of listening, compassion, and kindness, he said, “May you hear the voices of the many young people who risk their lives for better conditions, so that they may take an active part in the life of their nation and of the Church.”

Lamenting that the bishops’ “communities are also shaken by the crisis of refugees and displaced persons,” Pope Leo said, “Be for them the Christ who bends over their painful situations in order to heal them and to give them the bread of consolation.”

Finally, Pope Leo XIV entrusted their work to the maternal care of the Virgin Mary, Star of Evangelization, and imparted the Apostolic Blessing upon them and all who serve the Church in various ways throughout the Central African region.