In a joint statement this week, U.S. and African Catholic bishops appealed for continued solidarity and life-saving assistance for Africa, emphasizing cooperation between the bishops and faithful of the continents.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on International Justice and Peace and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)’s Justice, Peace and Development Commission released the statement, which was titled “Brothers and Sisters in Hope.”
The document reaffirms the Church’s call for integral human development, grounded in Catholic social teaching. The guiding themes include the role of the Church in delivering aid and building local capacity; the family as the fundamental unit of society; young people and entrepreneurship; climate justice and care for creation; critical minerals; peacebuilding; and contributions of the African Church and African diaspora in the life of the American faithful.
“The faithful of the U.S. and Africa are gifts to one another,” the bishops stated. “Together, we call for robust lifesaving and life-affirming U.S. assistance to the continent, grounded in thoughtful partnership, and pray for the flourishing of an ever-deeper fraternity.”
This renewed vision comes on the heels of the Jubilee Year of Hope and culminates in a Mass for Solidarity, which will be celebrated Feb. 4 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.