The Church in Africa has formally begun its continental preparations for the 2028 Ecclesial Assembly, with the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu OFM Cap, calling on the continent’s Churches to embrace a process of spiritual discernment marked by humility, communion and missionary renewal.

Addressing participants at the opening of the First Preparatory Seminar under the theme ‘The Synodal Church in Africa: Journeying Towards the 2028 Ecclesial Assembly’, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 4 August, Cardinal Ambongo described the gathering as “a significant moment in the life of our Church” and the first step in Africa’s collective contribution to the universal synodal process.

Welcoming bishops, clergy, religious and lay delegates from across the continent, the Cardinal expressed gratitude to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia, the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa and the General Secretariat of the Synod for accompanying the Churches of Africa during what he called “this vital phase of our synodal journey.”

Reflecting on the next stage of the Synod’s implementation, Cardinal Ambongo said the Church is entering a new phase centred on a fundamental question: “How are we becoming a more synodal and missionary Church?” He noted that the General Secretariat of the Synod is inviting local Churches to undertake the forthcoming evaluation assemblies as an authentic process of spiritual discernment, attentive to the signs of God’s action within Christian communities.

The SECAM President said Africa approaches this process with both humility and confidence, highlighting the continent’s rich ecclesial heritage as a gift to the universal Church. He pointed to the vitality of Small Christian Communities, the commitment of catechists and lay faithful, the indispensable contribution of women, the missionary enthusiasm of young people, and longstanding traditions of dialogue, reconciliation and solidarity as distinctive strengths that can enrich the global Church.

At the same time, Cardinal Ambongo acknowledged the many realities confronting local Churches across Africa, including poverty, armed conflict, forced displacement, insecurity and limited resources. He also recognised that many communities are still learning to move beyond consultation towards a deeper culture of shared discernment and co-responsibility.

Rather than discouraging the Church, he said, these challenges should inspire renewed hope and greater commitment to the synodal path.

During the two-day seminar, participants will pray together, engage in conversations in the Spirit, reflect on synodal experiences from across the continent, revisit Africa’s pastoral priorities and begin preparing a working document to guide the Church’s journey towards the Continental Assembly and the 2028 Ecclesial Assembly.

Describing the meeting as the beginning of an important continental process, Cardinal Ambongo said it would be followed by local, national, regional and continental stages of discernment, enabling the Church in Africa to make a meaningful and distinctive contribution to the wider discernment of the universal Church.

He encouraged participants to approach the discussions with generosity and openness to the Holy Spirit, resisting the temptation to defend personal positions or predetermined agendas.

“Let us listen attentively, not only to one another but, above all, to the voice of the Holy Spirit,” he said, expressing the hope that the seminar would strengthen communion among the Churches of Africa, deepen their shared responsibility for evangelisation and renew their commitment to becoming an ever more synodal and missionary Church.

Entrusting the gathering to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, Cardinal Ambongo officially declared the First Preparatory Seminar on The Synodal Church in Africa: Journeying Towards the 2028 Ecclesial Assembly open, invoking God’s blessing on all participants as Africa embarks on the next stage of its synodal pilgrimage.