Africa on the Map of Pope Francis’ Teaching: A Scan of the Synods

Abstract

Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on youth, Christus Vivit (Christ is alive), is a product of the Synod of Bishops on “Young People, The Faith and Vocational Discernment.” Our brief exploration of this synod will serve as a glimpse of a broader understanding of the other synods so far held during the pontificate of Francis and their implications for the Catholic faith and doctrine in Africa. Setting forth salient points from this synod, which the Pope builds on in his ensuing exhortation, this article argues that in Africa however, young people, as women, most critically face exclusion and inequality in social life occasioned by patriarchy which is legitimated even by the Church, as well as failed political systems. Relatedly, the threat of Islam and its fundamentalist groups continues to claim the lives of mostly young people and women in their prime. The nuance offered in this article therefore, is that, finding a voice in society and Church as well as discerning an appropriate response to Islam may be more burning issues to the African youth rather than a preoccupation with sexual inclinations.