Catholic bishops from Central Africa have concluded their 13th Plenary Assembly in N’Djamena, Chad, reaffirming their commitment to evangelization, social justice and peace in the region.
The meeting brought together Church leaders from six countries: Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea. It focused on the theme “The challenges of the Church-Family of God in Central Africa: 30 years after Ecclesia in Africa.”
During the assembly, the bishops reviewed progress since the publication of Ecclesia in Africa in 1995. They noted the growth of the Church, citing increased vocations and stronger lay participation.
At the same time, they acknowledged ongoing challenges. These include ethnic divisions, poverty and gaps in formation.
The bishops called for deeper inculturation, stronger social engagement and greater transparency in governance. They urged bishops, priests and lay people to take shared responsibility for evangelization and public life.
They also committed to strengthening the doctrinal formation of catechists and promoting the Church’s social teaching.
Throughout the gathering, participants stressed unity and solidarity. They called for greater communion, synodality and cooperation among local churches.
The bishops encouraged closer collaboration, including the sharing of pastoral experiences and human resources, to better express Christ’s love in the region.
Aisha DUWAI ALI
