Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar

The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar or SECAM () is an agency of the Catholic Church which includes the bishops of Africa and Madagascar.

History

The SECAM was born, on the occasion of the Second Vatican Council, to express the will of the African bishops to speak and act together, overcoming the language difference, historical and cultural. The project, submitted to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, was approved in 1968. The Symposium was convened for the first time during the visit of Pope Paul VI to Uganda in 1969.

Organization

SECAM includes a presidential council, a General Secretariat, and special committees: the committee on doctrinal and pastoral, social and legal committee, the Committee on Finance and Administration, the Committee for African Affairs, the union of African collaboration.

Presidents

1969 – Laurean Rugambwa

1969–1978 – Paul Zoungrana

1978–1981 – Hyacinthe Thiandoum

1981–1984 – Paul Zoungrana

1984–1987 – Joseph-Albert Malula

1987–1990 – Gabriel Gonsum Ganaka

1991–1994 – Christian Wiyghan Tumi

1994–1997 – Gabriel Gonsum Ganaka

1997–2003 – Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya

2003–2007 – John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan

2007–2013 – Polycarp Pengo

2013–2019 – Gabriel Mbilingi

2019–present – Philippe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo

Members