Bishops in Africa Gather with over 400 at Jubilee of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)

AFRICA/UGANDA - The Bishops of SECAM thank God for the gift of Baptism and the Church
Monday, 22 July 2019

Kampala (Agenzia Fides) - More than 400 delegates from Africa, Madagascar, Europe, America and Asia have gathered in Kampala for the celebrations of the Jubilee of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (see Fides, 1/7/2019). The nine-day event will end on July 29th.
"The opening mass was held yesterday, Sunday 21 July, in the Cathedral of Lubaga, and the final one will be held on the 28th at the Catholic Shrine of the Martyrs of Uganda, Namugongo. Both ceremonies are open to all", said Father Philip Odii, at the head of SECAM communications.
"Church, Family of God in Africa, Celebrate your Jubilee! Proclaim, Meet and Welcome Christ your Savior" is the theme of the meeting in which Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, priests, men and women religious, as well as representatives of different ecclesial institutions are taking part.
The main objective of the Jubilee is to celebrate in thanking God for the gift of Baptism and of the Church in Africa, to ponder on the progress made so far, with the aim of deepening faith.
SECAM is the fruit of the commitment of the African Bishops who during the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) decided to establish a continental structure to unite the Church in Africa and promote collaboration in the pastoral ministry. It was officially inaugurated on July 29, 1969 in the Cathedral of Lubaga, during the first plenary meeting of African Bishops, concluded by Pope St. Paul VI on July 31, 1969, the first Pope to travel to Africa visiting Uganda. (AP) (FULL TEXT Source: Agenzia Fides, 22/7/2019)