TOWARDS A CHRISTOCENTRIC SYNODAL CHURCH OF CHRIST IN AFRICA

Abstract

The seed of faith planted by the early missionaries in Africa has, in conformity to the nature of the two Divine Agents of mission (Christ and the Holy Spirit), bore and still bears much fruit, as seen in the manifestations of the increasing surge of Christians and believers in the African continent. Just like every tree that desires to yield its desired fruit undergoes pruning, the Church of Christ in Africa, in the light of the theme of synodality, through its first (Ecclesia in Africa) and second (Africae Munus) synods, has undergone and still undergoing this “signs of the time” as re-advocated by Pope Francis to be " a Church which listens, which realises that listening "is more than simply hearing”... - all listening to each other, and all listening to the Holy Spirit, the “Spirit of truth” (Jn 14:17). Thus, to the extent of conformity of the African Church of Christ in her “journeying together”, bearing in mind the injunctions of the Father to His sons and daughters to listen to the voice of the Son (Mt. 17:5) who is the only true Way to the Father (Jn. 14:6) in living out her apostolic mandate is the core of the article.