More than 50 delegates representing seven regional episcopal conferences of Africa, Madagascar and the Islands concluded the first preparatory seminar for the 2028 Ecclesial Assembly with a renewed commitment to foster a more synodal and missionary Church across the continent.

Held in Addis Ababa on 4-5 August under the theme, “The Synodal Church in Africa: Journeying Towards the 2028 Ecclesial Assembly,” the seminar marked the official beginning of the continental phase of Africa’s preparations for the Ecclesial Assembly that will take place in Rome in October 2028.

In his closing address, the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu OFM Cap, thanked God for the “two days of prayer, listening, dialogue and discernment,” describing the seminar as an opportunity not merely to review activities but to recognise the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church in Africa.

“Together, we sought to discern how the Holy Spirit is calling us to become ever more synodal and missionary,” said Cardinal Ambongo.

He expressed gratitude to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia and the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa for hosting the meeting, while also thanking the continental and regional synodal teams, presenters and participants for their commitment and valuable contributions.

Reflecting on the discussions, Cardinal Ambongo said participants had identified encouraging signs of hope throughout the continent while also discerning a set of African synodal priorities that will guide the Church’s journey over the next two years.

He described these priorities as the fruit of a shared process of discernment, offering “a common horizon” to strengthen listening, dialogue and missionary renewal within local Churches.

Looking ahead, the SECAM President outlined the roadmap that will shape the continental synodal process beginning in 2027. The Church in Africa will journey through four successive stages—Awareness, Interpretation, Orientation and Celebration—moving from diocesan and national evaluation assemblies to the Continental Synodal Assembly before culminating in the Ecclesial Assembly in Rome in October 2028.

Cardinal Ambongo reminded participants that the seminar was not simply a meeting but a formation exercise intended to prepare regional teams for the work that now lies ahead.

“You are here as regional teams,” he said. “When you return home, you will be called to establish national synodal teams, which in turn will form diocesan synodal teams, and so on. In this way, we will be well prepared to celebrate these assemblies at every level.”

He urged delegates to help their local Churches discern the action of the Holy Spirit and ensure that Africa’s gifts and experiences enrich the universal Church through the synodal process.

“May we have the courage to follow the path the Spirit shows us and the generosity to journey together in communion, participation and mission,” he said.

Before formally closing the seminar, Cardinal Ambongo entrusted the continent’s synodal journey to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, praying that she accompanies the people of God as they continue preparing for the 2028 Ecclesial Assembly.

The Addis Ababa seminar forms part of the implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality and represents the first continental step in Africa’s contribution to the worldwide ecclesial discernment leading to the 2028 Assembly in Rome.