• Your Excellency, Sahle-Work Zewde, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia;
• Your Eminence, Mario Cardinal Grech, General Secretary of Synod of Bishop;
• Your Eminence, Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, President of SECAM;
• Your Eminence, Berhaneyesus Cardinal Souraphiel, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Ethiopia;
• Your Grace, Archbishop Antoine Camilleri, Apostolic Nuncio;
• Your Eminences Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Clergy, Religious Men and Women, and Lay Faithful;
• Distinguished Invited Religious Leaders from other Faith Communities;  - Distinguished Guests; - Dear Brothers and Sisters.

I am honored to be here today to witness the opening ceremony of the Continental Celebration of the Synod on Synodality organized by the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). I would like to thank SECAM for the invitation and for the opportunity to share some thoughts on this important topic.

Synodality is an essential principle of the Catholic Church, and its relevance extends beyond religious institutions. Synodality emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, participation and dialogue in decision-making processes. It also has the potential to contribute to addressing various challenges of the African continent.

We are all aware of the challenges that our continent is facing, including threats to peace and security, poverty, inequality, climate change to mention just few. These challenges require collective efforts to find sustainable solutions that benefit all members of the society. Synodality provides a framework for engaging in dialogue and cooperation, ensuring that all voices are heard, whilst promoting inclusivity and participation.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the African Union Commission, we are committed to promoting peace, security and sustainable development on our continent. Synodality can complement these efforts by fostering greater unity, understanding cooperation among different groups and communities.

We believe that inclusivity, participation, dialogue and solidarity are critical values that can help us overcome the challenges we face. By embracing these values, we can work together to build a better future for our continent.

There could not be better time for your meeting than this. As you may know, just two weeks ago, this beautiful city of Addis Ababa hosted the African Union Summit where the leaders of our continent deliberated on advancing the vision of our Continent. We have a vision, Agenda 2063, towards a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa which, in one of its seven aspirations, aims to be People-centered.

Our leaders also decided to make 2023 a year of accelerating integration on the continent through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). We fully understand that we cannot talk of meaningful trading among ourselves when there is no peace in our homes, in our countries, and across our borders; when neighbors cannot move freely; when our youth, women, and every citizen are not fully mobilized to embrace the values of hard work and productivity.

Your constituency as Church leaders plays an instrumental role in the collective effort to transform Africa. Your role as African Church is to move the hearts, minds and hands of your people towards reaching our destiny of a more prosperous, integrated and peaceful Africa. 

I am confident that initiatives like the Continental Celebration of the Synod on Synodality can contribute to fostering greater understanding, cooperation and unity on our continent. I would like to reiterate the commitment of the African

Union Commission through the Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO)—

 a function that reports to the Deputy Chairperson of the Commission—, to supporting initiatives that promote Synodality and other values that contribute to the well-being and development of our continent. The African Union will continue to work for the benefit of all, to provide a peaceful, safe and secure continent where we can all live in peace and harmony.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

In conclusion, I would like to thank SECAM and the organizers of the Continental Celebration of the Synod on Synodality for their efforts and commitment to promoting synodality in Africa. I hope that this event will be a success and will have a positive impact on our continent as we operationalize these powerful concepts in your theme: Communion, Participation and Mission. 

May Peace Prevail on Earth!

I thank you all for listening and God bless Africa!