For the first time in its history, South Africa will host the Conference of Major Superiors of Africa and Madagascar (COMSAM) for its 2025 Symposium and 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM), from May 23 to 30 in Johannesburg and Pretoria. This milestone event brings together religious leaders from across the African continent to reflect on the theme: “Hope, Synodality and the Empowerment of Consecrated Life in Africa.”

The gathering will include major superiors from six regional conferences across Africa and Madagascar, fostering a powerful exchange of spiritual insight, pastoral experience, and communal discernment. Through keynote presentations, workshops, and liturgical celebrations, participants will reflect on the Church’s synodal journey and the unique contribution of consecrated life to Africa’s future.

A Gathering of Consecrated Voices

The Interactive Symposium (May 23–25), to be held at St Dominic’s Girls School, Boksburg – Johannesburg, will be open to the wider public and streamed live on the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) social media platforms. The Symposium celebrates the vast diversity and vitality of consecrated life in Africa, with over 500 congregations and institutes represented.

The AGM, scheduled to take place from May 26–30, hosted at St John Maria Vianney Seminary in Pretoria, will bring together around 100 leaders from the six African federations under the leadership of COMSAM President, Sr Marie Diouf, FSCM (Senegal). The Vatican’s Prefect for the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Sr Simona Brambilla, MC, will attend as part of the official delegation.

Witnessing Hope in Action

Consecrated men and women in Africa play a vital role in the Church’s mission. They serve more than 30 million learners in Catholic schools, 6,800 staff in hospitals and dispensaries, and care for the most vulnerable in 2,400 orphanages and homes for the elderly. They are also deeply engaged in social justice ministries, including migrant advocacy and anti-trafficking initiatives such as Talitha Kum.

The symposium will highlight these contributions through stories, testimony, and dialogue—interpreted in English, French, and Portuguese to ensure full continental participation.

Collaborative Local Organization

The Leadership Conference of Consecrated Life South Africa (LCCL-SA), under President Sr Zelna Oosthuizen, RGS, is coordinating local logistics and communication, in close partnership with the SACBC, led by Cardinal Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of Johannesburg.

Other key partners and supporters include the Catholic Women’s League (CWL), the Hilton Foundation, the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), Missio, and media collaborators across the country. The event is expected to receive daily media coverage, including live broadcasts, interviews, and liturgical celebrations.

A Historic Moment for South Africa and the Church

“This is more than a meeting—it’s a moment of grace,” said Fr. Václav Klement, SDB, Communications Coordinator for LCCL-SA. “South Africa is honoured to welcome the leaders of consecrated life in Africa, to witness their joy, their courage, and their deep commitment to the Gospel.”

COMSAM Symposium and AGM 2025 is a unique opportunity for South Africa to stand alongside the wider Church in Africa as it moves forward in synodality, service, and hope.