Eastern African Bishops Open AMECEA Assembly With Focus on Youth and Synodality

Catholic bishops from across Eastern Africa have opened the 21st Plenary Assembly of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), placing young people at the center of the Church's synodal mission in the region.

Hosted by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, the assembly is being held in Nairobi from July 18 to 26 under the theme, "AMECEA's Synodal Journey with Young People: Building Bridges of Communion, Hope, Justice, and Good Governance."

The gathering brings together bishops, priests, religious, and lay delegates from the AMECEA region, which includes Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

The opening Mass was celebrated on July 19 at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, a regional Catholic university in Nairobi, and was presided over by Cardinal Michael Czerny, prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Bishops and priests from across the region concelebrated.

In his homily, Cardinal Czerny encouraged young people not to lose hope despite the social, economic, and political challenges they face.

He said the Church must continue reading the signs of the times and finding new ways to bring people closer to the Kingdom of God. He also urged Catholics to become builders of hope by accompanying young people so that Christ's presence may be more visible in society.

Archbishop Philip Anyolo of Nairobi also addressed the young participants, describing them as an essential part of the Church today rather than simply its future.

He encouraged them to remain open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to become courageous witnesses to the Gospel in their families, communities, and workplaces.

Throughout the eight-day assembly, participants are reflecting on how the Church can better accompany young people, particularly those often described as "digital natives"—the generation born between 1997 and 2012.

Discussions are expected to address youth unemployment, social exclusion, migration, political instability, ethical leadership, and good governance. Participants will also explore how the Church can strengthen a culture of listening by walking with young people in the spirit of synodality.

The assembly forms part of AMECEA's ongoing efforts to renew the Church's pastoral mission in Eastern Africa by responding to the realities facing young people while promoting communion and shared responsibility within the Church.

Ahead of the gathering, Catholics throughout the region were invited to pray for the assembly and its participants, asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as they discern pastoral priorities for the years ahead.

The plenary assembly will conclude on July 26 with a closing Eucharistic celebration, reaffirming the Church's commitment to journeying with young people and fostering communities rooted in communion, hope, justice, and good governance.