President Paul Kagame, on Saturday, August 2, urged African Catholic clerics gathered in Rwanda for the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) to use their responsibilities to bring out the best of humanity, drawing lessons from Rwanda’s history, which reflects both the best and worst. Over 250 Catholic leaders from across Africa are meeting in Kigali from July 30 to August 4 for the 20th Plenary Assembly of SECAM. The assembly, held every three years, brings together cardinals, bishops, priests, religious sisters, lay leaders, and youth representatives to reflect on the Church’s mission on the continent. This year’s plenary is being held under the theme “Christ, source of hope, reconciliation and peace.” Speaking to the clerics who had visited him at his office on Saturday, Kagame said: “Rwanda represents both the worst and the best of humanity - a reminder that those with responsibilities, both in the state and the church, must harness the best of humanity.” “Failure has happened before, but good people don’t accept to be held hostage by it. We must learn from our history, work together, and prepare the ground for hope, reconciliation, and peace, not just in Rwanda, but across our continent,” he added. The church played a significant role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, where some members of the clergy actively participated in the violence, while others remained silent or even obstructed efforts to protect Tutsi civilians. ALSO READ: Kwibuka31: Catholic Church urges faithful to assist Genocide survivors In March 2017, Pope Francis recognised the Catholic Church’s role in the Genocide and said he hoped “this humble recognition of the failings of that period, which unfortunately, disfigured the face of the Church, may contribute to a purification of memory, and renewed trust”. More on SECAM In an interview with The New Times last month, Rev. Fr. Rafael Simbine Junior, the Secretary General of SECAM, said this year’s gathering will focus on achieving peace and reconciliation, both of which are urgent priorities for Africa today. “Africa is a family, but it is a family in conflict. Wars and divisions are destroying the sense of community, he said. As a Church, we must reflect on how we can become peacemakers. Christ came to give us peace, not the kind the world offers, but peace that lives in the heart,” he added. He noted that Rwanda was selected to host the assembly after postponing a previous opportunity due to readiness issues. The hosting of the plenary rotates among Portuguese, French, and English-speaking countries. Simbine explained that delegates from all 37 episcopal conferences across Africa will attend, with delegation sizes varying by conference. For example, a large conference with up to 250 dioceses sends a bishop president, a bishop delegate, and a priest serving as secretary general. Topics of discussion at SECAM include political responsibility, interfaith dialogue, climate change, and how the church can accompany Catholics living in culturally complex situations, including polygamous unions.
