Rectors from seminaries across the Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) have been encouraged to embrace synodality with courage and translate what they have learnt into practical formation programmes for future priests. The call was made during the closing Mass of the African Synodality Initiative’s curriculum development workshop at Padre Pio Retreat Centre in the Archdiocese of Pretoria on Thursday, 29 October.
The workshop, which began on Tuesday, 27 October, brought together eighteen rectors from across the IMBISA region to reflect on how synodality can be integrated into priestly formation. Father Miranda Feliciano of the Diocese of Sumbe in Angola was the principal celebrant at the closing Mass. He was joined at the altar by Father Jerome Nyathi and Father Tatiano Jamba.
In his homily, Father Feliciano reflected on synodality as a way of being Church, calling rectors and participants to rediscover the importance of walking together in fulfilling the mission entrusted to them by God. He emphasised that synodality is not simply a new concept to be studied but a way of life that calls the Church to strengthen relationships, listen to one another and work together in guiding the people of God.
The workshop offered participants an opportunity to reflect on the Church’s mission in the region and how they could contribute to its renewal through formation. Father Feliciano challenged the rectors to have the courage to implement this approach when they returned to their respective seminaries. He highlighted the importance of spiritual strength in carrying out the Church’s mission, particularly when confronted with difficulties and opposition.
The celebrant encouraged the rectors to draw on the Word of God and prayer as essential sources of strength in their ministry. He also recalled the importance of the Rosary and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, urging participants to deepen their spiritual lives as they prepared future priests for service to the Church.
Following the Mass, the rectors evaluated the workshop and discussed ways in which IMBISA could strengthen its support for rectors and seminaries across the region. Among the proposals suggested was the introduction of regional exchange programmes for formators, allowing them to teach at other seminaries for a semester.
The proposed exchanges would enable formators to share their expertise, expose seminarians to different approaches to formation and enrich the educational programmes offered by seminaries across the region. Father Enrico Parry, director of IMBISA, officially closed the workshop’s programme following the evaluation and discussions.
Key points
- The workshop aimed to integrate synodality into priestly formation.
- Eighteen rectors from IMBISA region attended the workshop.
- The workshop proposed regional exchange programmes for formators.
