[AFRICA] – The Pan-African Catholic Theological and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) will embark on a landmark initiative to draft a 25-year strategic vision for the Catholic Church in Africa during its General Assembly this Friday, September 26, 2025. The virtual meeting, which will also introduce a new executive leadership team, aims to channel the energy of its recent Abidjan congress into long-term, continent-wide impact.
The assembly agenda is focused on several critical areas for the network’s future. Top priorities include laying the groundwork for the “African Catholic Vision 2025–2050,” the official introduction of a new executive team led by Simson Mwale and Sr. Helen Kasaka (LSMI), the formalization of new national chapters across seven countries, and the launch of a strategy to recruit African digital faith influencers.
The session will begin with a review of the impactful Abidjan 2025 Congress, featuring an open discussion, an evaluation summary from Jane Offor, and the presentation of the congress’s final declaration. A significant part of the agenda will be an “open palaver” session, led by Sr. Agnes Sorry, focused on creating what the agenda describes as “contagious and cascading effects” from the congress’s success. Follow-up plans from Fr. Stan Chu Ilo include the publication of a book and the launch of new youth and women’s projects.
The development of the 25-year vision is a central pillar of the assembly, setting a strategic direction that will extend beyond the upcoming Cameroon 2027 event. This effort towards long-term institutional strengthening will occur alongside reports on critical ongoing projects, including an update on PACTPAN’s human trafficking project from Sr. Mirriam …and a financial update from Fr. Stan.
The assembly’s ambitious agenda reflects the dynamic reality of the Catholic Church in Africa, a region of vital growth for the global faith. The decisions made are poised to influence pastoral and theological approaches across the continent for decades.
The PACTPAN General Assembly is scheduled for Friday, September 26, 2025. The meeting is open to members and will be held via Zoom.
Time: 6:00 PM Nairobi (EAT) / 4:00 PM Lagos (WAT) / 5:00 PM Southern Africa (SAST) / 10:00 AM Chicago (CDT) / 5:00 PM Rome (CEST).
Join Zoom Meeting:https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87802487297?pwd=MpA9OwJdI8x5mWqszgQzcT5JWGwNrQ.1
Meeting ID:878 0248 7297
Passcode:098584
About PACTPAN: The Pan-African Catholic Theological and Pastoral Network is a premier organization dedicated to fostering theological reflection and pastoral innovation within the African Catholic context.
