Luigi Spadoni meets former secretary general of SECAM
A high-profile meeting between the former Secretary General of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and Luigi Spadoni.
This is how one can define the event awaited by many, held in the evocative Lucchese monastery of Santa Gemma, in which the importance of collaboration between the ecclesiastical hierarchy and lay movements, engaged in the evangelizing mission in an increasingly complex global context, was highlighted.
The meeting began with the celebration of the 54th priestly anniversary of Bishop Benedict Penoukuo, director of Caritas Togo for a decade, testifying to the spiritual unity that links priesthood ministry and lay apostolate.
Bishop Benedict welcomed the founder with words of esteem, recognizing the fundamental role that apostolic movements play in animating the faith of local communities and bringing the light of the Gospel to existential peripheries.
“In a world marked by divisions and conflicts, the Church needs authentic witnesses,” he said. Regarding Space + Swords, he added, “movements like yours embody the essence of the evangelical mission: to bring Christ everywhere, with humility and perseverance”.
Visibly moved, the founder responded by expressing his deep gratitude for the support to promote the OPERA M Forums – The ReEvolution of Works of Mercy in Togo and on the African continent, stressing the importance of ever-closer collaboration with the pastors of the Church.
“Our mission is not autonomous, but is always at the service of the Church and in communion with its pastors. Without this communion, we would risk losing sight of what is essential,” he said.
A central theme of the conversation was the future of works of mercy in Africa and the role of the younger generation.
Both shared the conviction that young people are the most valuable resource for the renewal of the Church and society, agreeing to appeal to synodality, a key word in the path Pope Francis is promoting for ecclesial renewal.
The meeting concluded with a strong call for synodality, a key word in the path Pope Francis is promoting for ecclesial renewal.
“The future of the Church depends on our ability to walk together, laity and pastors, in an authentic communion of purpose,” the Secretary General stressed.
“Only in this way will we be able to respond to the challenges that the world poses to us, carrying out the mission that Christ has entrusted to us.”
With these words, the meeting concluded in an atmosphere of hope and fraternity, with the awareness that the joining of forces between lay movements and ecclesiastical authorities is the way forward in carrying out the Church’s evangelizing mission in Africa and the world.
What is SECAM?
The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar is a body of the Catholic Church that brings together Catholic bishops from across the African continent and neighboring islands. Based in Accra, Ghana, it was the brainchild of the Vatican Council.
It came into being in 1968 at the behest of African bishops to jointly address socio-cultural issues and pastoral challenges for the evangelization of the continent.
The first assembly was held in Kampala, Uganda, in 1969 during the first trip of a pope to Africa, Paul VI.