Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, addressed the opening session of the 20th Plenary Assembly of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), reaffirming the Vatican's dedication to supporting the African Church in its mission to foster hope, reconciliation, and peace.
The event, held in Kigali, brought together bishops from across the African continent, as well as representatives from Asia, Latin America, North America, and Europe. Also in attendance was the Prime Minister of Rwanda.
Cardinal Czerny, who served in Africa from 2002 to 2010, described the occasion as a "homecoming." Reflecting on the assembly’s theme, Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace, he emphasized that full human development comes through life in Christ and called for a broader understanding of development beyond purely economic metrics.
He stressed that while economic development is important, it must not be confined to the interests of global financial institutions. True development, he said, includes spiritual, social, and ecological dimensions, and the Dicastery remains committed to supporting the Church's pastoral and advocacy efforts on the ground.
The Cardinal outlined a threefold approach by the Dicastery: listening and dialogue, research and reflection, and communication and restitution. He explained that listening involves identifying the real concerns and challenges faced by communities, especially the poor. The research component applies theological and social sciences, offering insights rooted in Catholic social teaching. Communication then ensures that successful pastoral practices are shared across local Churches for practical application.
Czerny praised SECAM’s leadership in organizing the 2024 Conference on Natural Resources and Violence in Africa, held in Accra. The event addressed the negative impact of extractive industries on communities and the environment. As a result of this initiative, the Dicastery will soon publish Pastoral Orientations intended to benefit dioceses throughout Africa and other continents facing similar challenges.
In conclusion, Cardinal Czerny invited the bishops to reflect on key questions, including the major obstacles to integral development in their dioceses, the effectiveness of their pastoral responses, and how well the Church's social teaching is communicated locally.
He assured the assembly of the Dicastery’s continued accompaniment, stating that the Church stands ready to support people, especially the poor, in overcoming barriers to their human and divine vocation.