Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops
Hundreds of Bishops from Africa and a select number from outside the continent met in Rome from 4-25 October 2009 to discuss the Catholic Church in Africa.
The theme of the Special Assembly was The Church in Africa at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace.”You are the Salt of the Earth...You are the Light of the World” (Mt 5:13,14).
The Rt Revd John Rawsthorne was invited by Pope Benedict XVI to take part in discussions. Bishop Rawsthorne, as well as being Bishop of Hallam, is Chair of CAFOD's board of trustees (the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development).
Synod discussions focused on a wide range of issues and challenges facing the diverse continent of 53 countries - from HIV/AIDS, poverty and governance to women's issues, migration and family life.
The 244 Synod fathers released their final message which contains 57 propositions. View an unofficial version of the propositions on Vatican Radio's website.
This was the second Special Assembly for Africa, the first was convened by Pope John Paul II in 1994.
Audio downloads
Just days before the conclusion of the Special Assembly, we joined Bishop John Rawsthorne from Vatican Radio's studios in Rome. Bishop Rawsthorne took part in a roundtable discussion with Cecilia Taylor-Camara, Senior Policy Officer for the Bishops' Conference Office for Migration and Refugee Policy and Mgr John Dale who is National Director of Missio - the Church's official mission support agency in England and Wales.
Listen/download
Our roundtable podcast is split into three parts:
Africa Synod: Roundtable discussion part ONE (mp3)
Interview from the archives: Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos
One point that was made clearly in our roundtable audio discussion was the sheer size and diversity of the continent of Africa. Although there are a number of common challenges and issues, each country bears witness to its own unique experiences.
In this audio interview from our archives, we speak to Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos in northern Nigeria. Archbishop Kaigama discusses the role of the Catholic Church in society, the nature of interreligious dialogue in Nigeria, working with the State and much more.
Links
Instrumentum Laboris - the Synod's working document
Pope Benedict XVI's homily at the conclusion of the Synod of Bishops for Africa
Chairman of CAFOD Reflects on the African Synod (Vatican Radio)