“Reimagining the Role of Catholic Lay in Africa in line with its spirituality of action.”
Introduction
The African region is at a crossroads, facing significant challenges and opportunities. The region faces multiple challenges including governance deficits, civil and poltical unrests, climate change, rising poverty, and acute insecurity. Nearly half of the world’s poor reside in Africa, with economies unable to create jobs for its upsurging youth. For instance, each year, 8-11 million youth enter the labor market, yet only 3 million formal sector jobs are created, while the informal employment rate stands at 85.5% (2025). These challenges are systematically fueled by corruption, weak institutions, and political instabilities.
In line with Pope Leo’s Apostolic Exhortation ‘Dilexi te’, there is a need for a deep connection between Christian faith and the need to care for the poor. At the center of connection is the prophetic voice of the lay people, especially those with the gift of professional training. But as lay people in Africa, we have rights and responsibilities in both the heavenly kingdom, on side, and Africa’s earthly kingdom on the other side. We are therefore bound to face the inherent tensions of being citizens of the heavenly kingdom and earthly kingdom as we stand immersed in the temporal world while also representing the kingdom of God on earth. We should see ourselves as Christians of this world (Africa’s earthly kingdom) called to be good and faithful citizens who can contribute to the well-being of Africa.
ICMICA-Pax Romana is an association of Catholic lay professionals and academics. We see ourselves as gifted with professional training and actively invited to participate in the church’s mission. In line with Pope Francis’s apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium and the ongoing synodality process in the church, we see ‘the mission of the Church as a mission of all’, including us. As ICMICA-Pax Romana, we seek to create an understanding of the Church as the People of God, promoting participation of the laity in the life of the Church, in the spirit of Vatican II. We play the role of supporting the training and formation of leaders, especially the youth and women, for the common good of the church and society. We identify ourselves with a spirituality that integrates faith and action for coherence between church teaching (Catholic social teaching, etc.) and lived action (charity, advocacy, liturgy, etc.). Informed by this spirituality of action, we aim
to stand in solidarity with those at the peripheries and margins of society.
Reimagining the Role of Catholic Lay in Africa
ICMICA-Pax Romana Africa is organising a regional session on ‘Reimagining the Role of Catholic Lay in Africa’ in line with its spirituality of action, from 1 to 2 May 2026 at Don Bosco Gotera. Aet Vice – Province Catholic Church, ዶን ቦስኮ ጎተራ የካቶሊክ ቤተ ክርስቲያን, XQM6+XQV, Chirkos 04, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia).
The regional session involves two subsessions:
The first part of the sub-session will involve two virtual preparatory sessions that will be held, between March and April 2026, before the in-person session in Addis Ababa. The preparatory sub-session will provide a theological reflection on the proposed theme in preparation for the in-person session in Addis Ababa. Alex Mthobi, Tshiamo Moela and Albert Dhafana will help coordinate the preparatory sub-session.
The second sub-session, to take from 1 to 2 May 2026, will involve strategic planning, aimed at defining the long-term direction of the movement, including how it will achieve its goals in line with its spirituality of Action. Annex 1 is a draft working proposal of possible Working Committees that will be formed to help in the delivery of the action plan that will be developed.
Location
Don Bosco Gotera. Aet Vice – Province Catholic Church, ዶን ቦስኮ ጎተራ የካቶሊክ ቤተ ክርስቲያን, XQM6+XQV, Chirkos 04, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia).
Workshop Details
The dates for arrival in Addis Ababa are as follows:
- Arrival date: 30th April 2026
- Departure date: 3rd May 2026
- Event Dates: Friday, 1st May to Saturday 2ndMay 2026
- On Firday evening, we will have an evenning and cultural night. Participants are encouraged to wear their traditional outfits during dinner!
Costs
Participants will be responsible for their own transport/airfare and accommodation costs related to the workshop. They will also be responsible for the costs related to the visa. Each participant will also pay USD 70 estimated at the costs per day, for bed and breakfast; therefore, the estimated cost for three nights (30th April, 1st May, and 2nd May) is USD 210.
Formalities related to Entry visas to Ethiopia
The Archiodecse of Addis Ababa will provide a Visa and an introductory letter for those who need a visa to enter Addis Ababa. The Visa and introductory letter will be shared with each participant in due course.
Medical Information
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is generally required for entry.
- We encourage participants to carry their medical insurance cards with them
- We encourage participants with chronic illnesses, please bring their medication and
prescriptions.
🔹 Preparatory Sessions
Three preparatory sessions will be organized ahead of the Addis meeting:
- Session 1: ICMICA Africa: Pathways to Growth and Impacts. This session will encompass a briefing on the Addis meeting and a reflection on the current state of the movement and its future.
- Session 2: Theological reflection on the role of Catholic professionals in Africa.
- Session 3: Discussion on emerging issues that the movement should focus on.
➡️ Post-Addis:
Activities will focus on the thematic areas selected during these sessions.
📅 Tentative Date
- Session 1: 29 March, 2026
- Session 2: 12 April, 2026
- Session 3: 19 April, 2026
Contacts
For further information or assistance, please contact the following:
- Kaputo Chenga WhatsApp: +260955763492
- Fasika Lachore WhatsApp: +33667152978
- Maria WhatsApp: +261376496180