Editorial:

The theme for the second African Synod is: ‘The Church in Africa in service to reconciliation, justice and peace’. The Synod will again look into the issues affecting the African continent at large in relation to the universal Church. Many people have invested vast expectations in the Synod. Following the first Synod, people are keen to see whether key burning issues will be addressed. Leading the field are surely seminary formation and celibacy, leadership and corruption in civil society, marriage and family life, liturgy, media and social communication – and the venue!

Of late there has been much in the media regarding priests and celibacy

and, this being the Year for Priests, the bishops must discuss this topic at

length along with the issue of ongoing formation and support for priests.

No doubt a focal point will be the issue of bishops and priests and their

followers deserting the Church, including the so called ‘catholic reformed

church’. The Synod will be concerned to find ways to integrate the African

traditional values in seminary formation; open dialogue here is essential.

One area in which the Church continues to take a strong line is that of

leadership and corruption in Africa. So many African countries are now

undergoing changes for all sorts of reasons, and there many pressing,

even threatening issues that need to be looked into to avoid further

poverty, suffering and insecurity. The role of the Church in making sure

there are smooth transitions from one government to another is of great

importance. The Church is the ‘conscience of the people’, as the late Jomo Kenyatta once said to the Kenyan bishops, and has a key role in informing all individuals and communities of their rights and obligations in the task of nation-building.

The issue of poverty must be given prominence because, although the

African continent is so blessed with resources, it languishes through lack of financial clout. The pressing need to make the best use of all the resources available, natural and human, must be examined in order to combat poverty and suffering. The deep wounds and painful experiences that Africa has suffered demand that the Synod meditate deeply on the source of peace, reconciliation and healing.

Marriage and family life is a thorny issue for the Synod – the matter of

condoms and contraception cannot be avoided. While the recent papal

visit to Africa drew both support and criticism, the Church in Africa must

come out strongly with a single voice to state publicly the way forward. It

will involve reinforcing existing guidelines for the Christian faithful to

dispel any confusion generated by the media, albeit unwittingly. The

Church’s stand on polygamy and its implications for family life will be

looked into, recognising this is a wide-spread culture which will not

disappear.

It is hoped the Synod will look at ways of helping the liturgy become truly

African. It seemed for some time that there was a suspicion in Rome that

there was too much singing and dancing in African liturgy. Yet surely this

is the way Africans can best express themselves within their culture and

traditions, and should not be discouraged. The first African Synod

addressed the issue and this one will pick it up, not least because of the

new ‘movements’ which are causing such division in some dioceses and

parishes. The local Church needs solid guidance from its pastors.

The use of the media and the role it plays in matters of justice, peace and

reconciliation will be an important aspect of the bishops’ discussions.

Many dioceses and Bishops’ Conferences have direct access to modern

means of communication and they are often the most positive voice in the

midst of much bad news. These networks must be used to best advantage

to strengthen the local communities’ capacity for bridge-building often

across tribal divides.

The one disappointment is that yet again the Synod will not be held in

Africa. It was hoped that the first would be so, similarly the second. As

with so many cultures, the land is important for Africans – African issues

on African soil. We must hope that African voices will be heard and not

just by African ears.

• Mission Outlook October 2009