The initiative aims to address declining Catholic membership in African countries and equip young leaders with digital evangelisation skills.

Dr Linus Kweku Labik, a Ghanaian graduate, plans to target first-year university students to prevent them from abandoning their faith.

"I have seen instances where young people stop going to Church after they graduate from senior high school and go to college and university. This trend is concerning as it has led to the dwindling Catholic population in Ghana" Labik told ACI Africa.

The Ghana Conference of Catholic Bishops (GCBC) described the situation as "alarming" and attributed it to "many external and internal factors".

Sister Josephine Bakhita, coordinator of the programme, told ACI Africa that the training aimed to address moral issues. It also promoted hope among the youth, thereby making them more like Christ.

Africa Digital Faith Influencers Formation

The course, titled "Africa Digital Faith Influencers Formation", covered seven modules including -

• Theories and application of African synodal processes
• Methods and skills for digital influencing
• Principles and practices of Catholic social teachings
• Transformational servant leadership
• Spiritual maturity for professional and personal development

Instructors were drawn from various Catholic institutions across Africa and Vatican dicasteries.

Sr Bakhita described the eight months of formation as "an amazing experience, much as it was challenging".

The Kenyan SMK member said "It was amazing to see dignitaries, including Catholic bishops, priests and religious sisters from various countries, who turned up to award the certificates to the young people from their Dioceses and parishes. This was a wonderful act of solidarity with our young people".

Financial support for graduates

In his address at the graduation ceremony, PACTPAN's Coordinating Servant, Fr Stan Chu Ilo, urged the young graduates to be diligent in the implementation of their projects.

"As you form your project cohort, I advise you to put a lot of time into it. Be careful about the people you are bringing into your project just as you must be careful about the people you are bringing into your lives" Fr Stan said.

The graduates are now set to implement projects in their respective communities. PACTPAN plans to provide financial support and mentorship to help kickstart these initiatives.

Sources

ACI Africa

CathNews New Zealand

At a recent theological symposium in Nairobi, experts discussed the complexities of polygamy in Africa. They suggested a phased conversion process for polygamous families entering the Catholic Church.

This method seeks to accommodate cultural traditions and family dynamics.

Giningakpio Justin Dapu, a prominent member of South Sudan's Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, exemplifies the challenge. With 12 children and two wives, Justin is deeply involved in church activities. However, due to his polygamous status, he is barred from receiving Holy Communion.

Dapu argues for full inclusion within the Church, noting his grandfather's acceptance despite having seven wives.

The recent synodal conversations were organised by the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) and the Conference of Major Superiors of Africa and Madagascar (COMSAM). Participants in the conversations empathised with Justin's situation.

They discussed their experiences and the complexities of polygamy within the Church, seeking a more inclusive pastoral approach.

Transition to monogamous marriages

Sr Leonida Katunge of PACTPAN highlighted the need for careful, empathetic engagement with polygamous families.

"We need to listen more to the people in polygamous marriages to understand what drives them to remain in such marriages" Sr Katunge said.

"The Church should enter into dialogue with these people and engage them in a process of transition from polygamous to monogamous marriages. We must help them understand the reason behind the call of the Church to live in monogamous marriages" Sr Katunge added.

Elisabetta Groberrio, another participant, shared the struggles of women in refugee camps who, as second or third wives, face exclusion from sacraments despite their active involvement in the Church. She called for pastoral solutions that recognise their unique situations.

"It is really a suffering for them and in several cases they are very active, but…without baptism they feel excluded from the real life of the Church" Groberrio said.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1645) firmly upholds monogamy, describing polygamy as contrary to conjugal love and fidelity. However the African theologians urged a compassionate, context-sensitive approach that respects both Church doctrine and cultural realities.

Sources

ACI Africa

ACI Africa