THE SYNODAL CHURCH IN AFRICA: JOURNEYING TOWARDS THE 2028 ECCLESIAL ASSEMBLY – SECAM
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 4–5 August 2026
The Church in Africa gathered in Addis Ababa for the First Preparatory Seminar towards the 2028 Ecclesial Assembly, bringing together Church leaders and representatives from across the continent to reflect, discern, and journey together in synodality.
More than 50 delegates, representing seven of the eight Regional Episcopal Conferences of Africa, Madagascar and the Islands, concluded the first preparatory seminar for the 2028 Ecclesial Assembly with a renewed commitment to fostering a more synodal and missionary Church across the continent.
Held in Addis Ababa on August 4 and 5 under the theme “The Synodal Church in Africa: Journeying toward the 2028 Ecclesial Assembly,” the seminar marked the official start of Africa’s continental preparatory phase for the Ecclesial Assembly, which will take place in Rome in October 2028.
This important continental gathering provided an opportunity to:
– Reflect on and evaluate Africa’s experience of the Synodal Process (2021–2024).
– Share the gifts and contributions of the African Church with the Universal Church.
– Discern new paths of synodality and concrete forms of a missionary synodal Church.
– Share regional experiences, best practices, challenges and opportunities.
– Build consensus and contribute to the preparation of a continental working document towards the 2028 Ecclesial Assembly.
Through prayer, silence, Conversation in the Spirit, working groups and plenary dialogue, participants are discerning together: What new paths of synodality are emerging in the Church in Africa?
Looking to the future, the President of SECAM presented the roadmap that will guide the continental synodal process starting in 2027. The Church in Africa will proceed through four successive stages— Awareness-raising, Interpretation, Orientation, and Celebration—passing through diocesan and national evaluation assemblies, culminating in the Continental Synodal Assembly and, finally, the Ecclesial Assembly in Rome in October 2028.
Cardinal Ambongo reminded participants that the seminar was not merely a meeting, but also a training exercise designed to prepare regional teams for the mission now beginning.
The journey continues as we seek to become a Church marked by communion, participation, mission and co-responsibility.
Walking together, listening together, discerning together, Serving together. This is the motto that should guide the Church on its synodal path.