Catholic Bishops representing the eight regions of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), will be deepening discussion on promoting social communication in Africa and beyond during the 50th anniversary of the Pan-African Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS).
The event slated for 18-21 November, was founded in 1973 by SECAM in the Nigerian western city of Ibadan for the management and operations of the communications Apostolate in Africa.
It will address matters/activities on media in Africa and Madagascar – press, radio, television, traditional, and other forms of the new media, including social media.
The President of CEPACS and Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, said the 50th anniversary would help promote the Synodal Church in Africa through social Communications.
Themed “CEPACS at 50: Towards promoting a Synodal Church in Africa through Social Communications,” the anniversary with an assembly of communications experts and Catholic Bishops from across Africa will feature Dr Paolo Ruffini, Prefect for the Dicastery for Communications, Vatican, as Keynote Speaker.
According to him “The purpose of the Synod in Africa is the need for every segment to be given access… a voice, … a place and recognition in the affairs of the Church. The emphasis is that every segment of the Church be given the attention it requires to attain holiness, and eventually, to attain salvation.
“That is why it is important that everybody takes interest in this assembly which is organised to celebrate the 50th anniversary of CEPACS, so that together, the representatives of the different segments of media that work in the Church, we can all deliberate together on the way forward and how to chart that course together for a Synodal Church, a Church that cares for every segment, everybody, without leaving anyone behind”.
According to the World Christian database, of the estimated 1.2 billion Roman Catholics in the world, Latin America has 483 million or 40%, followed by Europe with 277million or 23.7%.
But Africa, places third with 177 million or 15.2%, has seen the biggest growth in Catholic congregations in recent years.
