13th Plenary held in Windhoek
The Bishops of the IMBISA region gathered for their 13th plenary assembly in Windhoek from 22 – 27 September 2022 reflecting on the Church’s engagement with young people in the light of Christus Vivit of Pope Francis.
“Welkom in Namibië”
Archbishop of Windhoek, Liborius Nashenda saying “Welkom in Namibië.”
The official opening ceremony saw Archbishop Liborius Nashenda OMI of Windhoek and Vice-President of IMBISA welcoming all to the plenary.
He referred to the last plenary held in Windhoek in 1995, when Namibia was just five years old having attained independence on 21 March 1990. At that plenary the Bishops considered the importance of the family, especially the sacrament of matrimony.
In mentioning the current plenary’s theme, he said that “young people are not only the future of society and the church but the present as well.”
He welcomed all to Namibia in seven languages, including Afrikaans.
Nature and style of the Church
In his address, the Apostolic Nuncio to Namibia, Archbishop Peter Wells, said that synodality is what the Lord asks the Church in the third millennium. As a constitutive element of the Church, it expresses her nature, form, style and mission.
Archbishop Peter Wells
He said that the “synodality of the whole Church requires that everyone is heard and can contribute.” One of the most important things that IMBISA can offer the region, he said “is a community where the People of God know how to hear one another.”
Young people at plenary
A novelty in this plenary, which was commended by the Vice-President of Namibia, Dr. Nangolo Mbumba in his address at the opening ceremony, was that “some of the participants are young people themselves.”
For him, this demonstrated that “their voice is vital for the growth of the church and society.”
Kelly Muremi addresses the Plenary Session
Kelly Muremi of Namibia spoke on behalf of all the youth representatives at the plenary from all nine member countries. She pleaded
with our Bishops to journey with us and assist us. We come with diverse skills and talents ready to offer the Bishops and the Church to respond to the challenges of our day.
Fr. Rafael Simbine, SECAM Secretary-General quoted the Bishops of Angola in his address to the plenary, who said
Youth ministry must have the courage to go where young people are at university, in sport, in music, in social networks and even in the different kinds of vices. If we succeed in making young people passionate followers and disciples of Jesus Christ, then we can dream of a better Africa.”
Christus Vivit unpacked
Dr. James Nyawo facilitated the plenary workshop session in line with its theme, where he helped the bishops do a close reading of the main points in Christus Vivit.
Dr. James Nyawo leading the workshop
In the discussion sessions, he asked each episcopal conference to highlight how the Church is supporting youth to face and address their challenges.
Dr. Nyawo held out a challenge to the bishops, that they translate Christus Vivit into local language accessible to young people by December 2025.
Elections
The plenary elected as President Archbishop Liborius Nashenda, Vice-President Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba of Saurimo and Secretary General Bishop Rudolf Nyandoro of Gweru.
Sources
IMBISA. 2022. IMBISA 13th Plenary Assembly Report. Harare: IMBISA.
On synodal journey for 50 years
In celebration of the golden jubilee of IMBISA, formed in 1975, we published snippets of history since March 2025.