On Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the conference “Ecclesia in Africa: The Africanization of Christian Communities” was held in the auditorium of the Institute of the Society of Jesus (ITCJ). This conference was organized to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the post-synodal apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in Africa.
There were three speakers: Ludovic Lado, Rodrigue Naortangar, and Paul Béré, all members of the Society of Jesus. Father Jean-Paul Savi, S.J., served as moderator. The conference began with opening remarks by the director of the ITCJ, Father Aurélien Folifack, who reviewed the history of the Chair and the ITCJ’s various research initiatives. The head of the Baraza Chair then briefly presented the conference’s objectives and Ecclesia in Africa.
Ludovic Lado, S.J., then presented his topic, “Inculturation Through the Lens of Pentecostalism.” He discussed Pentecostalism’s ambivalent attitude toward African cultures. On the one hand, it affirms the African worldview; on the other, it rejects various African customs and traditions. He lamented the fact that the African Church has not seriously engaged in dialogue with African religions. Toward the end of his lecture, he showed us a ten-minute video of his visit to a sacred forest in the Bamboutos region of Cameroon. After that, there was a question-and-answer session, followed by a twenty-minute break.
Rodrigue Naortangar, S.J., presented his lecture titled “Ecclesia in Africa and Inculturation: A Theological Commemoration.” After providing a brief overview of the events leading up to the Synod, Naortangar elaborated on the concept of inculturation, discussing its evolution and current interpretations.
The third and final lecture was delivered online by Paul Béré from Italy. It was titled: “Ecclesia in Africa and Synodality.” He focused primarily on the concept of the Church as the family of God highlighted by Ecclesia in Africa and demonstrated how it has been widely adopted by the universal Church, and how, even if not explicitly stated, its characteristics are reflected in the synodal Church. This was followed by a question-and-answer session.
The conference concluded with remarks by Father Jean Messingué, director of the research department.
In terms of attendance, the conference drew 85 in-person participants and 61 remote participants, for a total of 146. The in-person attendees were primarily students and faculty from the ITCJ, as well as nuns. Also in attendance were students from UCAO, Jesuits from CERAP, and parishioners from surrounding parishes.
