Summary
Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, a Nigerian prelate and former head of the Church in Sokoto since 2011, discussed his reflections on the document Ecclesia in Africa, which Pope John Paul II authored. Thirty years after its release, Kukah sees both hope and challenges for Africa’s progress within Catholicism. Reflecting on the synod’s initial excitement and its current slow pace of development, Kukah emphasizes that economic, social, and political transformation remains inadequate across the continent. He criticizes the lack of exposure to Catholic teachings in public life, especially regarding democratic ideals. In response, he plans a series of Conversations at his center called Newman Seminars, aiming to incorporate Church teachings into Nigeria’s political discourse. Kukah acknowledges that while Ecclesia in Africa laid groundwork for an engaged African church, challenges remain significant, particularly due to the absence of Catholic doctrine in public life.
Key Topics
Nostalgia, Africa, Ecclesia in Africa
