Walking together

On 5 August, the Catholic Network for Theology and Pastoral Care received a video message from the Pope on the occasion of its third congress, which opened that same day in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Our sister Marie-Agathe participated in this event, during which Pope Leo XIV emphasised the importance of unity between theology and pastoral care.

This pan-African Catholic jubilee congress was held from 5 to 10 August. It brought together men and women, young people and adults, lay people, priests and religious, bishops, members from some thirty different nationalities, cultures and ethnic groups. This biannual meeting is intended to be a place of reflection and exchange as a family of God, around important issues of the life of the ecclesial family. The objective, explains Sr Marie-Agathe, is to ‘discern what God is saying to our Church Family, what he expects of us and how we can implement his plan of salvation in the present day for our people and the world.’

A powerful theme in an important context

The theme, ‘Walking together in hope as the Church, the family of God in Africa’,  made an

important contribution to building the future of global Catholicism, a renewed Church and a new Africa, ‘stepping out of its “comfort zone” to make its voice heard and contribute unapologetically to the building of the universal Church,’ emphasises Sr Marie-Agathe.

A special feature of this third congress was that it took place at the crossroads of three major ecclesial events: the jubilee year of hope, the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, and the third phase of the synodal process underway in the universal Church (reception and implementation of the final document).

A common missionary duty

Beyond their differences, titles and particular ministries, the participants were united by their common missionary duty and their shared desire to respond to the calls of a world seeking signs of hope amid the turmoil that agitates it. They called on their brothers and sisters in humanity to love and serve God, to be witnesses and agents of hope and reconciliation.  A beautiful challenge for today!

‘While each of us is called to cultivate our own relationship with God, at the same time, through our baptism, we are united as sons and daughters of our heavenly Father. We therefore have a responsibility to care for one another.’ Leo XIV, video message.