On 28 November 2025, the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network convened a continental Catholic Palaver on Church and Politics in Africa, inspired by SECAM Vision 2025–2050, Pillar 12. Bringing together cardinals, bishops, religious, scholars, youth advocates, and political leaders from across the continent, the gathering became a powerful reminder that Africa’s political future cannot be separated from its moral and spiritual foundations. With voices such as Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, Hon. Peter Obi, and Hon. Catherine Mavenjina taking the floor, the Palaver affirmed one truth: the African Church must reclaim its prophetic responsibility at precisely the moment the continent most needs courageous and ethical leadership.
A New Mandate for the African Church
The Pan-African Catholic Palava on Ethical Leadership and Governance transcended the format of a conventional conference; it represented a sacred assembly that effectively repositioned the Church as the indispensable moral compass for the African continent. This event, organized by the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN), was framed from the beginning by its Coordinating Servant, Professor Stan Chu Ilo, as a direct response to the SECAM Vision 2025–2050. By dedicating the Palava to the theme of “Church and State in Africa,” the organizers established a tone of intentional action. This engagement transcended mere discussion; it served as a declaration that the Church must evolve beyond its role as solely a spiritual authority, particularly when the future of the continent is intimately linked to ethical leadership and accountability.
The unheeded warning of complacency
The central and resounding thesis of the day was delivered by His Eminence Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, who issued a historically rooted warning. Reflecting on South Africa’s struggle against apartheid, he cautioned against the peril of post-victory complacency. Once freedom or democracy is secured, he noted, the temptation arises to “take our eyes off the ball,” allowing corruption and self-interest to quietly return and erode hard-won gains. For the Church, this means its prophetic role must be one of continuous, vigilant engagement—ensuring that political leaders are relentlessly held to the standard of the common good, not just in moments of crisis.
Leadership defined by character and competence
This mandate for vigilance was sharpened by two significant Catholic political voices. Former Nigerian presidential candidate Honourable Peter Obi presented a clear framework for governance, insisting that Africa remains trapped in cycles of poverty not because the continent lacks resources, but because it lacks leaders with “character, capacity, compassion, and commitment.” Only such leaders, he argued, can guide Africa from a consumption-based economy to a production-oriented one—a transformation essential to tackling poverty and investing in human development.
Honorable Catherine Mavenjina, a seasoned lawyer and politician from Uganda, added a deeply personal testimony. Having navigated all three arms of government, she spoke of the spiritual discipline required to survive politics without losing integrity. The vocation of a Catholic politician, she affirmed, must be sustained by a “live conscience”—an internal moral monitor—and by an unbroken grounding in prayer. These are essential safeguards for anyone who seeks to lead ethically within a system that constantly tests one’s moral centre.
Rebuilding trust—securing the future
The concluding presentations turned toward the urgent task of rebuilding trust between institutions and Africa’s disillusioned youth. Mr. Guy Nko Ebobisse, a technical expert in public service from Cameroon, stressed that trust is the indispensable social capital needed to mobilize collective effort toward Africa’s industrial and community development. Efforts to rebuild it must be transparent, practical, and visibly connected to outcomes that restore young people’s belief in their nations’ potential.
Mr. Wilfried Kaboré, an advocate for civic engagement and youth empowerment from Burkina Faso, further strengthened this emphasis on youth. Speaking on empowering young Catholics, he argued that passive formation is no longer adequate. The Church must actively train and equip its youth in political analysis, civic participation, and principled leadership. The goal is not simply to place Catholics in political office but to infuse politics itself with authentic Catholic values—thereby safeguarding Africa’s democratic future.
(It is worth noting that Reverend Father Josephat Muhazo of Tanzania, scheduled to speak on mediating post-election crises through African Palava traditions, was unable to present due to technical difficulties.)
A generational prophetic mandate
The consensus of the Palava is clear: the prophetic role of the African Church is a generational mandate, not a seasonal one. The immediate task is not only to denounce corruption but also to invest courageously in formation. Every level of Catholic education—from catechesis to pastoral institutes—must instill the values of justice, integrity, and the dignity of the human person. By translating the wisdom of this Palava into decisive action, the Church will fulfill its vocation as a tireless moral guardian, helping to build a continent where the dignity of every individual is paramount.
The work of achieving a just Africa is not finished; it has merely been reframed for the next generation of courageous Christians.
