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

  1. 1969 - Laurean Rugambwa
  2. 1969–1978 - Paul Zoungrana
  3. 1978–1981 - Hyacinthe Thiandoum
  4. 1981–1984 - Paul Zoungrana
  5. 1984–1987 - Joseph-Albert Malula
  6. 1987–1990 - Gabriel Gonsum Ganaka
  7. 1991–1994 - Christian Wiyghan Tumi
  8. 1994–1997 - Gabriel Gonsum Ganaka
  9. 1997–2003 - Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya
  10. 2003–2007 - John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan
  11. 2007–2013 - Polycarp Pengo
  12. 2013–2019 – Gabriel Mbilingi
  13. 2019–... – Philippe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo

    Members of SECAM

The regional episcopal conferences that are represented in SECAM are: