The Church in Africa is determined to have its young people play an active role in World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea, rather than just attending the event. This was a key message from the second international preparatory meeting for World Youth Day Seoul 2027, which took place in Seoul and Incheon from September 14-17. The meeting drew over 400 participants from more than 100 countries.
Mavis Bonsu of SECAM, the continental body of the Catholic Church in Africa, attended the meeting to ensure that the Church in Africa has a coordinated plan for preparing its young people for the event. SECAM's presence was not just about receiving information but about creating a practical roadmap to guide the Church in Africa. The aim is for African youths to participate meaningfully, sharing their gifts, knowledge, and experiences with the universal Church.
SECAM was established in 1969 to create a forum for the Church in Africa to speak with one voice on matters affecting the continent and the universal Church. Its mission includes fostering communion, collaboration, and joint action among Episcopal Conferences of Africa and its islands. SECAM also works on issues such as integral human development, peace, justice, and social development, and has observer status at the African Union.
SECAM's involvement in World Youth Day preparations is part of its broader mission to form young Catholics who can contribute to the transformation of their communities. The organization sees youth ministry as forming young people who can bring hope, peace, and reconciliation to Africa, where conflict, insecurity, and division are prevalent. For SECAM, World Youth Day is not just an event but an opportunity to form young leaders.
The second preparatory meeting introduced participants to the registration system, pilgrim app, and Days in the Dioceses program, as well as the practical journey pilgrims will undertake in Korea. African representatives plan to develop a continental roadmap to harmonize youth participation across the continent. A standardized program of formation and retreat is also being considered to spiritually prepare young people before traveling to Korea.
One of the challenges identified by SECAM is that many young Africans do not have the opportunity to travel to international World Youth Days. To address this, SECAM is working towards an African Youth Day, which would allow young people to experience a similar encounter of faith closer to home. The first regional initiative, the West Africa Youth Days, was held in Accra, Ghana, from September 7-12, 2026, and drew over 3,500 young people.
The West Africa Youth Days provided an opportunity to test the concept of an African Youth Day and gather experiences that could inform a wider event. SECAM President Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu told the young people that the bishops of West Africa believe in their "faith, energy, creativity, and capacity to transform society." He encouraged them to be agents of hope, peace, and reconciliation in their communities.
Key points
- SECAM is working to ensure African youths are prepared and engaged for World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea.
- The organization aims to create a continental roadmap to harmonize youth participation across Africa.
- SECAM is also working towards an African Youth Day to allow young people to experience a similar encounter of faith closer to home.
