The Church’s plan for Africa

RECONCILIATION, JUSTICE AND PEACE: The Second African Synod, by Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator SJ (ed). Acton Publishers, Nairobi. 2011. 259pp. R159,50.

Reviewed by Raymond Mwangwala OMI

Many analysts blame Africa’s many problems on politicians alone. But are politicians the only ones responsible for Africa’s well-being? What about the Church and people of faith?

The theme of the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops – ”The Church in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace: ‘You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world’” (Mt 5:13-14) – is clearly a challenge to the Church in Africa to become an active agent for transformation.

The synod, which took place in Rome in October 2009, considered some of the implications of this call. Pope Benedict officially delivered to the Church of Africa the fruits of the synod in the traditional post-synodal exhortation during his visit to Benin in November. While it waited for that, however, the Church in Africa had not been idle. Various initiatives to bring the synod home have taken place. Reconciliation, Justice and Peace: The Second African Synod, edited by Jesuit Father Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, is one such initiative.

The volume brings together reflections and essays on the synod by theologians from various African countries, some of whom participated in the gathering in Rome. It aims at “generating thought and prompting discussion” around the theme of the Synod.

The five sections of the volume provide critical and concise summaries reflecting on particular subjects that were discussed at the synod. Each chapter also concludes with suggestions for practical implementation, making the volume an important resource for understanding and making the synod fruitful.

The introduction, by Fr Orobator, places the synod in context, both historical and theological. In the years between the first (1994) and the second (2009) African synods much has happened on the continent and in the Church. A synod is a kairos moment, a time of grace, for the Church to reflect on its experience and to recommit itself to the mission received from God, through Jesus Christ.

This mission, in service of reconciliation, justice and peace, is not primarily about what the Church does, but rather about what the Church is and should be.

Teresa Okure’s challenging essay (chapter 1) calls on the Church to go back to the basics, to become Church as intended by God: a place of reconciliation, justice and peace. In this way, she writes, the Church will become a credible witness to the good news.

The other chapters each focus on particular aspects of Church and mission in Africa. For the Church of Africa to be credible and relevant it must enter into dialogue with African religion and with other role players on the continent. The challenges facing Africa are many and require concerted effort by people of faith and others if the continent is not to remain a perpetual tale of misery.

Small Christian Communities are affirmed as a privileged locus for witnessing as Church. Gathered together around the word of God, members reflect together on common problems such as gender justice, HIV/Aids, poverty, ecology and so on, and search for solutions.

The volume serves as an important tool for reflection on the many and complex topics discussed at the synod. Ideally, each chapter should be read on its own, reflected upon, expanded and discussed with others.

Reconciliation, Justice and Peace should provide an important commentary to the pope’s apostolic exhortation.

In the end, the words of the book will remain empty words unless they are brought to life by Christians and others of good will. The work has only just begun: “Courage! Get on your feet, continent of Africa!”

Fr Mwangala is the dean of studies at St Joseph’s Theological Institute in Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal.