Synodality, Economic Justice and Abuse in Religious Life Highlighted during COMSAM
By Kati Dijane – Day two of the Conference of Major Superiors of Africa and Madagascar (COMSAM) 2025 Symposium, hosted at St Dominic’s School for Girls in Boksburg in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg on Saturday, 24 May 2025, opened with a powerful keynote by His Eminence Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, OFMCap, the Archbishop of Kinshasa in the DRC and president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar SECAM. Addressing over 400 religious delegates under the theme “Walking Together in Mission: The Synodal Call to Consecrated Life in Africa”, the Cardinal urged the Church to embrace a renewed vision grounded in synodality, mission and communal witness.
Synodality: A path of renewal
Cardinal Ambongo described the Synod on Synodality (2021–2024) as a historic turning point for the Church, marking a departure from top-down leadership towards a participatory, Spirit-led journey rooted in Vatican II. “This Synod has not been simply an ecclesial event,” he said, “but a pilgrimage of the people of God led by the Spirit.”
He emphasised that consecrated life is central, not peripheral, to the synodal Church, and religious communities are called to be signs of hope, healing and joyful witnesses amid global crises, such as violence, displacement, ecological collapse and spiritual alienation.
The synodal Church, he said, must reject clericalism and rigidity and instead listen, serve and dream collectively. Quoting Pope Francis, he reminded the delegates that the synod is not about producing more documents but about inspiring conversion, communion and creativity.
Prophetic presence on the margins
The Cardinal highlighted that one of the Synod’s most urgent calls is to strengthen the Church’s prophetic witness to the peripheries: “We are not just called to serve the poor, but to walk with them, listen to their cries and defend their dignity—not as a moral obligation, but as a theological mandate.”
He acknowledged Africa’s rich cultural inclination towards synodality through concepts like Ubuntu—”I am because we are”—and communal decision-making, which naturally align with synodal ideals. However, he also noted that the continent’s deep wounds of violence, division and injustice challenge the full expression of synodal life.
The role of COSMAM in a synodal Church
Calling on the religious leaders to become co-builders of a synodal Church in Africa, the Cardinal said the symposium must engage in theological and pastoral reflection about consecrated life’s identity and mission in a rapidly changing world. “COSMAM is not a guest at the table—you are irreplaceable partners in the renewal that the Synod calls for,” he stated.
After his address, the religious men and women gathered for Mass, in which he was the main celebrant. During his homily, Cardinal Ambongo further encouraged religious men and women to embrace the cross of rejection and opposition for the sake of truth. “If the world hates you, know that it hated me first,” he quoted Jesus, reminding delegates that faithfulness to Christ demands radical love, humility and service, even in contexts of conflict and injustice.
“We are called to be prophets of peace,” he said, “courageously proclaiming the Gospel message in hostile environments. Our perseverance is a testimony to the power of faith and the resilience of the Spirit within us.”
Africa and the global economy: A moral lens
Later in the day, Fr Charlie Chilufya, SJ, offered a prophetic and analytical reflection on Africa and the global economy. He stressed Africa’s immense contributions to the world—home to 70% of global cobalt, 90% of platinum metals and 50% of gold reserves, in addition to being a leading producer of cocoa and coffee.
With 60% of its population under 25, Africa has one of the youngest and most promising workforces globally. Yet, its share of global trade remains under 3%. “While Africa enriches the world,” Fr Chilufya noted, “it is shut out of the systems that govern global wealth. The roots of this marginalisation lie in enduring structural injustices.”
He urged religious communities to embrace their moral responsibility by advocating for economic justice. Drawing from Catholic Social Teaching and the biblical Jubilee (Leviticus 25), he called for debt cancellation, structural reform and solidarity, not charity.
“Africa does not ask for pity, it asks for justice,” he said. “As faith communities, we must walk with Africa as partners in building a world where its dignity is honoured, not ignored.”
Breaking the silence on sexual abuse in religious life
A deeply impactful session came from Sr Linah Siabana, MSOLA, a mental health specialist working in Uganda, who addressed the sensitive topic of sexual abuse in religious communities. She spoke on the vulnerability of women within religious and institutional contexts and the complexities that often silence survivors.
“In Africa, data on sexual abuse among religious women remains sparse due to cultural stigma, fear of retaliation and loyalty to clerical structures,” she explained. Many survivors feel isolated, afraid of not being believed, and cut off from support.
Sr Linah outlined several barriers to reporting abuse, including media bias, which sensationalises abuse cases while neglecting victims’ voices, gender norms, which often blame or shame female survivors and a lack of legal advocacy, which makes reporting risky and support scarce. She also pointed to systemic causes, including clerical power imbalances, where authority is exploited, spiritual vulnerability, where the sisters share what they go through, exposing their vulnerability, as well as cultural discrimination and financial insecurity, which silence victims. To address these issues, Sr Linah recommended:
- Independent and safe reporting mechanisms
- Education and training on consent and power dynamics
- A culture of transparency that prioritises victims’ welfare.
“Prevention and healing are only possible if we acknowledge the unique struggles of religious women and work towards real systemic change,” she said.
The day wrapped up with each attendee being given a COMSAM-branded candle and a delicious supper prepared by members of the Catholic Women’s League in the Far and Near East Rand deaneries.
