Today, November 25, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, the Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), arrived in Kigali to attend the Permanent Committee meeting of SECAM.
Accompanied by Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, Archbishop of Kigali, Cardinal Ambongo landed at Kigali International Airport, Kanombe at 10:00 a.m.
He was warmly welcomed by a delegation that included Bishop Balthazar Ntivuguruzwa of Kabgayi Diocese, and Father Innocent Consolateur among others.
In addition to his role as the leader of Africa’s Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Ambongo is one of the eight key advisors to Pope Francis.
This visit marks Cardinal Ambongo’s first trip to Kigali since he was elevated to Cardinal on October 5, 2019.
He is in Rwanda to participate in the SECAM Permanent Committee meeting, which is being held in Kigali.
One of the main agenda items is the preparation for SECAM’s General Assembly, scheduled to take place in Kigali from July 30 to August 4, 2025.
The meeting has drawn other prominent bishops representing the six regions of Africa and members of the SECAM Executive Committee.
In total, 11 bishops from nine different countries are in attendance, including: Bishop Emmanuel Badejo (Nigeria), Bishop Lucio Andrice Muandura (Mozambique), Bishop John MacWilliam Gordon (Algeria), Bishop Benjamin Ramaroson (Madagascar), Bishop Willem Christiaans (Namibia), Bishop Gabriel Kumordji (Ghana), Bishop Goetbe Djitangar (Chad), Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza (Nigeria), Bishop Anthony Muheria (Kenya) and Bishop Moko Ekanga (Democratic Republic of Congo)
The meeting is set to conclude on November 28, 2024, in Kibeho, coinciding with the 43rd anniversary of the apparitions of Kibeho and the Feast of Our Lady, Virgin Mary.
Source: KINYAMATEKA
