SECAM Establishes Commission for Catholic Education
The new continental body will develop a framework to strengthen Catholic education across Africa, chaired by Bishop Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Catholicism
The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has established a permanent Commission for Catholic Education, decided at its Standing Committee session in Nairobi, Kenya, from 18 to 22 October 2026. Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, Bishop of Koforidua, Ghana, was appointed its Chair.
Why it matters
The Commission follows the First Continental Conference on Catholic Education in Addis Ababa and the Addis Ababa Declaration, which called for such a body and a continental framework. It is intended to foster collaboration among Episcopal Conferences, regional ecclesiastical bodies, Catholic educational institutions, and religious congregations.
The Act establishing the Commission was signed by Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu on 20 October 2026, following the Addis Ababa Declaration of 7 August 2026. The Commission is a permanent continental body that will develop a SECAM Continental Framework for Catholic Education.
The players
Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)
SECAM is the continental body that brings together the Catholic bishops' conferences of Africa and Madagascar to coordinate pastoral and social initiatives across the region.
Fridolin Ambongo Besungu
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu is the Archbishop of Kinshasa and a prominent African Catholic leader who signed the Act establishing the Commission.
Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum
Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum is the Bishop of Koforidua, Ghana, who was ordained a priest in 1983 and consecrated bishop in 2006, and now chairs the new Commission.
The details
The Commission operates under the orientations of SECAM's 20th Plenary Assembly, held in Kigali, Rwanda, in July 2025. It will respect the principle of subsidiarity while fostering collaboration across Episcopal Conferences, regional bodies, educational institutions, and religious congregations.
Timeline
July 2025: SECAM's 20th Plenary Assembly is held in Kigali, Rwanda.
5 to 8 August 2026: First Continental Conference on Catholic Education is held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
7 August 2026: The Addis Ababa Declaration is adopted.
18 to 22 October 2026: The Standing Committee meets in Nairobi, Kenya.
20 October 2026: Cardinal Ambongo signs the Act establishing the Commission.
Culture Shift
The Commission carries forward the Addis Ababa Declaration of August 2026, which set out a continental approach to Catholic education in Africa. It reflects a movement toward coordinated, Africa-led Church structures rather than education planning handled separately by individual national conferences.
Catholic schools, parishes, and educators across Africa may see new coordination and guidance from the Commission as the SECAM Continental Framework is developed. The framework's details and any resulting programs have not yet been announced.
The takeaway
The creation of a continental commission signals that African Catholic leaders are seeking shared standards for education rather than working only at the national level. Readers following Church education policy can watch for the framework's release as the next concrete milestone.
Further reading
For more on the Church's global presence, explore Catholicism.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Africa.
