Archdiocese of Johannesburg hosts third annual leadership conference
By Kati Dijane – Over 600 parishioners from the Archdiocese of Johannesburg braved the hot weather to attend the third annual archdiocesan leadership conference (ACL) at Holy Family College in Johannesburg.
This year’s conference, which took place on Saturday, 19 October 2024, was spearheaded by the Department of Evangelisation, the Youth Department, as well as the Family Life Department.
The programme started with Fr Bruce Botha, the episcopal vicar of the Department of Evangelisation in Johannesburg, welcoming the attendees. In explaining this year’s theme, “Synodality in Action”, he said that after the synodal listening had taken place last year, and the Church had discerned her path forward, it became time to act. “Synodality without implementation remains just a nice idea,” he said, adding: “Our speakers this year come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but together shine a light on what doors are being opened to us, and how the invitation to synodality could be implemented in the life of our local Church.”
Martin Lamberti, the event’s keynote speaker, opened up about his personal experience in the business field to show the church community how the synodal methodology – of listening, acting and taking accountability – makes business sense and spiritual sense. Over 20 speakers were present to engage in topics, including the art of forming young disciples, prophetic youth leadership, youth involvement in charity work, communications and synodality, synodality in marriage and the importance of a liturgy team. Dillion Naicker, head of the Youth Department, said he was happy with this year’s turnout.
“I do believe the efforts by the youth office to promote this to young leaders had an impact as this was the first ALC with such high numbers of youth leaders in attendance. I was the co-presenter with Tshepo Kabutu from Alpha Youth and was delighted to see how many young leaders filled that large classroom,” Mr Naiker said.
However, he said that, as a department, they have work to do to spark interest among young people to attend such events, especially those who think that such conferences are for older leaders only.
“We had about nine sessions out of the 24 that were youth-focused. This is wonderful to me, especially to see young leaders who are mature enough in their faith to provide formation to church leaders both young and old,” Mr Naiker said.
The conference wrapped up with Holy Mass, with Fr Nkosinathi Nkabinde, the vicar of marriage and family life and Fr Abel Maluleka, the vicar of the youth, among the priests who concelebrated.
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