Sr. Jecinter Olweny
By Magdalene Kahiu
The 20th Plenary Assembly of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences in Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) is playing a complementary role to political efforts aimed at addressing conflict on the continent, the Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda has said.
Archbishop Arnaldo S. Catalan noted that the Plenary Assembly, themed “Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace,” occurs against the backdrop of protracted conflict in the Great Lakes region.
“SECAM complements the present political solutions on the continent by the social sensitization of Gospel peace,” Archbishop Catalan said on Friday, August 1.
He noted that the Catholic Church in Africa supports peace-building efforts “by giving it a soul, by forming people’s convictions provided by their culture and resilient faith.”
Sharing how SECAM reflects on the Gospel peace that may enrich the prevailing African perceptions and praxis of peace, the Prelate said, “Some members have ventured to inculturate Gospel peace within the African input of Bumuntu (also Ubuntu) – the cultural understanding of genuine personhood and shared humanity based on empathy, mutual respect, and social cohesion to promote non-violence at the horizontal level – but there is a need to present Christ as the vertical leverage.”
The Diplomat stressed the importance of including Jesus in every peace saying “He is the Model of peace by his example of selfless reconciliation, and Motive for hopeful action for good, by his words: “whatever you do to the least of your brethren, you do to me”. Christ mediates the dialogue of opposites, “under the palaver tree”.”
“Christ, as Model and Motive for peace, is crucial not only for the authentic faith witnessing of Africans as Christians, but also indispensable for their peacemaking as Citizens,” he said during the meeting that has attracted over 200 participants.
He said, “Gospel peace goes beyond good wishes and social tranquility; harmonious coexistence is gained by working for selfless reconciliation and hopeful action for good. Only through the cross of peacemaking, when contrasts that divide give way to the common good that unites, will we truly be children of the Prince of Peace.”
Speaking during a session attended by the Rwandan Prime Minister, Justin Nsengiyumva, Archbishop Catalan lauded the recently signed Rwanda-Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Peace Agreement 2025, highlighting its consultative and non-intrusive nature.
“What seems unique this time is the non-imposition of standardized stabilization models from the outside that, although well-intentioned, often depended only on foreign-made incentivized processes or sanctions-based efforts for de-escalation,” he said, adding that there were consultative meetings that considered the political, security, and economic concerns of the DRC and Rwanda.
The two Great Lakes nations have been in conflict since 2022 after Rwandan forces allegedly entered the DRC to provide support to the M23 rebel group.
The peace deal, brokered by Qatar and the United States of America (USA), was signed on July 27 in Washington.
Archbishop Catalan expressed optimism about the prospects for lasting peace in the two countries following the signing of the treaty.
