Sr. Justine Naluggya, IHMR
Synodality observers from English-speaking countries across Africa met for a landmark formation and planning meeting in Nairobi, reaffirming the Church’s commitment to fostering a more participatory, missionary, and listening Church as preparations intensify for the 2027 and 2028 Ecclesial Assemblies.
The observers are members of the Synodality Observatory, an initiative established by the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) to strengthen the visibility of the Church in Africa by identifying, documenting, and promoting best practices emerging from the implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality.
Participants included observers representing SECAM’s regional bodies, notably AMECEA (Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa), IMBISA (Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa), and RECOWA (Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa). They shared inspiring experiences from their respective regions on the use of the Conversation in the Spirit methodology. This communal sharing highlighted emerging models of participation, communion, mission, and co-responsibility that are already bearing fruit in dioceses, parishes, religious institutes, ecclesial movements, and Small Christian Communities.
Throughout the meeting, participants reflected on the transformative impact of synodality in their local Churches and explored scientific and pastoral methodologies for observing, documenting, analysing, and disseminating the lived experience of synodality across the continent. The initiative responds to the growing need to preserve Africa’s rich synodal heritage and ensure that its experiences contribute meaningfully to the ongoing discernment of the universal Church.
As both an observer and a participant in this encounter, the most touching statement shared was:
“The Church in Africa is not merely implementing synodality; she is living it in countless communities every day,” one participant observed. “Our responsibility as observers is to make these experiences visible, ensuring that the voices, initiatives, and pastoral innovations emerging from our local Churches become part of the wider ecclesial conversation.”
Serving as a continental platform, the Synodality Observatory seeks to preserve the fruits of synodality through attentive and collective observation and gathering of information and practices on ground, publication, and theological reflection. By building a reliable body of evidence on synodal implementation, the initiative will support Local Churches, Regional Episcopal Conferences, SECAM, and the General Secretariat of the Synod in assessing the progress of the implementation phase leading to the 2027–2028 Ecclesial Assemblies.
Participants also developed common strategies for systematically tracking, documenting, and publishing synodal practices across Africa.
Particular emphasis was placed on ethical data collection, the identification of best practices, theological reflection, and the creation of sustainable structures capable of accompanying the implementation of synodality at every level of ecclesial life from continental and regional structures to national episcopal conferences, dioceses, parishes, institutions, and grassroots Christian communities.
“By carefully documenting how God’s People journey together, we help preserve the memory of the Spirit’s work and provide valuable resources for future discernment and pastoral planning for the Church in Africa and beyond.” participant remarked
In a significant sign of continental collaboration, a parallel formation meeting was simultaneously held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, bringing together observers from Francophone Africa. The two gatherings reflect SECAM’s commitment to ensuring that the diverse experiences of the African Church are faithfully captured and integrated into a shared continental process.
As the implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality continues, the Synodality Observatory Initiative stands as a tangible expression of Africa’s commitment to walking together, learning from one another, and contributing actively to the life and mission of the universal Church. Through this collaborative effort, SECAM seeks not only to accompany the reception of synodality across the continent but also to ensure that the rich experiences of African local Churches become a lasting gift to the entire People of God.
