From 25 to 28 May 2026, a delegation of bishops from the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) and from the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) will meet in Luxembourg for a Seminar on the theme “Evangelisation and Synodality: Continental Pathways”.
The meeting, which since 2004 has provided a valuable opportunity for the exchange of information and shared reflection on the challenges facing the Church in the world, will focus this year on examining the implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality and the progress being made in the local Churches, as well as on the challenges of evangelisation in different continental contexts in the light of Evangelii Gaudium.
The programme will begin on Monday 25 May with a visit to the traditional Echternach Festival at the Basilica of St Willibrord. The inaugural ceremony will be presided over by H.E. Msgr. Heiner WILMER, SCJ, Bishop of Münster and President of the German Bishops’ Conference.
On Tuesday 26 May, participants will attend Holy Mass at Echternach Abbey, presided over by H.Em. Card. Ladislav NEMET, SVD, Archbishop of Belgrade and Vice-President of CCEE, and the famous Echternach Dancing Procession (Iechternacher Sprangprëssioun), which is based on the cult of Saint Willibrord and has been registered on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
On that same afternoon, the proceedings will begin with the opening greetings and introductions by H.E. Msgr. Gintaras GRUŠAS, Archbishop of Vilnius and President of CCEE, and by H.Em. Card. Fridolin AMBONGO, OFMCap., Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of SECAM. This will be followed by the introduction of the participants from the two church bodies.
Wednesday 27 May will begin with Holy Mass presided over by H.Em. Card. Fridolin AMBONGO, OFMCap. The working sessions will be dedicated to the “Implementation Phase of the Synod on Synodality”. Among the addresses to be given will include that of H.Em. Card. Jean-Claude HOLLERICH, SJ, Archbishop of Luxembourg and Vice-President of CCEE, on the Synodal Team of European national delegates, and that of H.E. Msgr. Lucio Andrice MAUNDULA, Bishop of Chimoio and Coordinator of the African Synodal Team.
These will be followed by presentations from H.Em. Card. Ladislav NEMET, SVD, on the European Synodal Task Force, and by H.E. Msgr. Anthony MUHERIA, Archbishop of Nyeri and Vice-President of the AMECEA region, whose speech will be dedicated to synodal work in the African context and to best pastoral practices. In the afternoon, there will be sessions of “Conversation in the Spirit” and a plenary discussion.
The final day, Thursday 28 May, will be dedicated to “Evangelii Gaudium” and to the theme of evangelisation in the European and African contexts. The speakers will be H.E. Msgr. Alexandre JOLY, Bishop of Troyes, and H.E. Msgr. José Manuel IMBAMBA, Archbishop of Saurimo and second Vice-President of SECAM.
The Seminar will conclude with group work, a final summary and the celebration of Holy Mass presided over by H.E. Msgr. Gintaras GRUŠAS, President of CCEE.