Members of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) who gathered in Kigali, Rwanda from July 30 to August 4 have concluded their Plenary Assembly with an appeal to the people of God in war torn areas on the continent to prioritize actions aimed at fostering lasting peace.

In their final message following the five-day Plenary Assembly that was realized under the theme, “Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace”, Africa’s Catholic Bishops said interethnic and interstate tensions in various African regions and countries have caused unimaginable suffering.

“The Church, as a witness to the suffering of peoples in areas plagued by armed conflict, must commit itself more vigorously to awareness-raising and concrete action for peace,” the Catholic Bishops said in their five-page document that was issued at the conclusion of the Plenary Assembly on August 4.

The Bishops want the Church in embattled areas to prioritize educating the younger generations in the ways of peace “so that every man and woman of Africa and Madagascar may become a channel of God’s peace in Christ Jesus.”

To also foster lasting peace in areas prone to violence in Africa, SECAM members further urged “political leaders to have at heart the wellbeing of the peoples they govern, to protect the weakest, and to promote dialogue and a better way of living together.”

“May the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Africa, accompany the Church on our continent, so that she may bear witness to Jesus, our Peace and our Hope,” SECAM members implored at the plenary that brought together 13 Cardinals, 100 Archbishops and Bishops, over 200 Priests, and many Religious, and thousands of faithful.

Full story at: https://www.aciafrica.org/news/16891/catholic-bishops-in-africa-end-plenary-assembly-with-call-on-war-torn-communities-to-commit-to-lasting-peace

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