Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Dubbed as the African Synodality Initiative, the first Webinar slated for Thursday, November 18, aims to offer practical suggestions for facilitating and conducting discussion, consultation, and dialogue in local Churches as “part of the Diocesan Synodal Phase.”
“This discussion is intended to assist and support people who hold roles of responsibility within the Christian community, in particular priests, deacons, Religious men and women, and Lay faithful of local Churches,” reads an excerpt of the alliance advert notice adding that the suggestions will help the target persons “to facilitate the process of “journeying together,” listening to the Spirit and to one another, and engaging in dialogue and consultation.”
Referencing Pope Francis’ message about the upcoming Synod themed “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission,” the African Synodality Initiative notes that Synodality “is not about gathering opinions … but it is about listening to the Holy Spirit.”
In this case, in “journeying together, we need to let ourselves be educated by the Spirit to a truly synodal mentality ... and lived synodality,”
The first Webinar discussions that will be in both English and French, will see African presenters discuss “on how to hold fruitful group discussions on synodality in dioceses, parishes and Small Christian Communities (SCCs),” and calls on participants from all Anglophone and Francophone speakers within the continent.
The Webinar session to be moderated by Fr. Andrew Kaufa the Coordinator of the Social Communications Department at AMECEA will bring together two African theologian presenters Sr. Dr. Josée Ngalula RSA a Congolese a member of the Vatican International Theological Commission, and Fr Dr Marcel Uwineza a Rwandese Jesuit priest who teaches Systematic Theology at Hekima College
The registration link highlights that the free session will be presented at 1400hrs East African Time (EAT).