Toward a Synodal Church in Africa: Echoes from an African Christian Palaver

This compendium of original essays by leading Catholic African scholars explores the meaning of synodality for the African church, with reference to the established method of African theology: “palaver,” or talking—and listening—together.

Opening with messages by Pope Francis and Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, the contributions offer explications of vital themes such as “Proclaiming the Word of God to Young People,” migration, theology of the people, “Ubuntu,” a postcolonial critique of clericalism, the social dimension of synodality, the way of the laity, contested moral issues, the role of basic ecclesial communities, and the missionary role of communications.

Contributors

John Okoye, Bishop of Awgu Diocese, Nigeria

Paulin Sébastien Poucouta, Director,Spiritus, Paris, France

Emilce Cuda, Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, Vatican City

Stan Chu Ilo, DePaul University, USA

Josée Ngalula, Catholic University of Congo

Nicholaus Segeja, Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Kenya

Raymond Olusesan Aina, National Missionary Seminary of St Paul, Nigeria

Ignace Ndongala Maduku, Institute of Religious Studies, University of Montreal, Canada

Francis Appiah-Kubi, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,Ghana

Lucio Adrian Ruiz