regional bodies of the Episcopal Conferences in Africa and Madagascar that the coordinator for WACOM in Africa and Madagascar Bishop Martin I. Uzouku of Minna Diocese in Nigeria, has sent a statement announcing the postponement of the congress.

“I write to inform you that the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization at the Vatican, has postponed the Fifth World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (WACOM V) to be hosted by the Archdiocese of Samoa-Apia, Oceania from 10th to 15th August 2020,” reads in part the statement from Bishop Uzouku.

The Prelate adds, “The postponement was due to the health concerns and travel restrictions in place at this time because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

According to the statement, “The Pontifical Council and the Archdiocese of Samoa-Apia have agreed to host the WACOM Event from Tuesday 10th to Sunday 15th August 2021 in Samoa-Apia Archdiocese.”

The WACOM is a worldwide religious event organized every three years since 2008 to promote the culture of mercy in the Catholic Church and all over the world.

The fifth WACOM was to be convened under the theme “Divine Mercy: The Ocean of Love that Envelops the Whole World.”

The first WACOM occurred in Rome in 2008; the second was in Kraków in 2011. The third was in Bogotá in 2014. The fourth WACOM was in Manila in 2017.

Bishop Uzouku has noted that “The Divine Mercy National Centre, Minna, Nigeria will provide further information or clarification on the WACOM V Event when such is needed.”