From 25 to 28 May 2026, delegations of Bishops from Europe and Africa gathered in Luxembourg for the 10th CCEE–SECAM Seminar, under the theme “Evangelisation and Synodality: Continental Pathways”.The meeting, hosted by the Archdiocese of Luxembourg and by H.Em. Card. Jean-Claude HOLLERICH, Archbishop of Luxembourg and Vice-President of CCEE, continued the long-standing fraternal collaboration between the Council of the European Bishops’ Conferences and the Symposium of Bishops’ Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.
The Seminar opened in the spiritual and cultural context of Echternach, with participation in the liturgical celebrations and the “Hopping Procession” linked to the feast of Saint Willibrord, missionary bishop and evangeliser. The Bishops recognised in this experience a strong symbol of the Seminar itself: one Church walking together, in faith, gratitude and missionary hope.
In his inaugural address, H.E. Msgr. Gintaras GRUŠAS, Archbishop of Vilnius and President of the CCEE, underlined that Evangelisation and Synodality are inseparable: Evangelisation expresses the “why” of the Church’s mission, while Synodality expresses the “how” of a Church that listens, discerns and walks together. He invited the participants to live the Seminar as an exchange of gifts between Europe and Africa and as a contribution to the implementation of the Synod.
In his opening remarks, H.Em. Card. Fridolin AMBONGO, Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of the SECAM, stressed that the encounter was not merely institutional, but a concrete sign of communion between the Churches of Africa and Europe. He highlighted the missionary reciprocity now linking the two continents: Europe’s historic missionary gift to Africa and Africa’s growing contribution to the universal Church, including Europe.
The first working sessions focused on the implementation phase of the Synod. H.Em. Card. Jean-Claude HOLLERICH presented the work of the Team of European Synodal National Delegates, while H.E. Msgr. Lucio MUANDULA, Bishop of Chimoio, presented the African Synodal Team, its mission of animation, listening, coordination, formation and preparation for the 2028 Ecclesial Assembly. H.Em. Card. Ladislav NEMET, Archbishop of Belgrade and Vice President of the CCEE, presented the European Synodal Task Force, highlighting its activities to create synodal spaces of listening, formation and discernment, in particular the upcoming European Symposium on Synodality, “Shape the Future of Synodality in Europe”, from 14 to 17 September 2026 at the Catholic University of Linz, Austria. The Bishops also listened to concrete African synodal experiences, including best practices presented by H.E. Msgr. Anthony MUHERIA, Archbishop of Nyeri, and then entered into a first moment of group work on the theme of Synodality, through Conversation in the Spirit and an exchange of gifts, followed by plenary discussion. This method allowed participants to share not only analyses, but also experiences, concerns and hopes from their local Churches.
The final working session was dedicated to Evangelii Gaudium and the missionary conversion of the Church. H.E. Msgr. Alexandre JOLY, Bishop of Troyes, presented evangelisation in Europe as a reality marked by both shadows and light: secularisation, fragility and loss of memory, but also new catechumens, young missionaries, digital evangelisation, the way of beauty, and a renewed call to witness. H.E. Msgr. José Manuel IMBAMBA, Archbishop of Saurimo and second Vice President of the SECAM, presented the African context of evangelisation as a field of hope and missionary growth. He described Africa as moving from being a “mission territory” to becoming a living subject of mission, while also naming serious challenges such as poverty, violence, migration, youth vulnerability, syncretism and the fragility of families.
A second moment of plenary discussion enabled the participants to deepen the implications of Evangelii Gaudium for the Churches of Europe and Africa, identifying convergences and possible paths of reciprocal missionary cooperation. The Bishops reaffirmed that evangelisation today requires missionary courage, synodal conversion, formation, attention to young people, care for the poor and migrants, dialogue, justice, peace and mutual support between the continents.
At the conclusion of the Seminar, the Bishops expressed gratitude to the Church in Luxembourg, to H.Em. Card. Jean-Claude HOLLERICH and to all those who contributed to the organisation. CCEE and SECAM renewed their commitment to continue walking together, strengthening communion, sharing gifts and serving the mission of the Gospel. The daily Eucharistic celebrations during the Seminar were the highest expression of this communion and gratitude.