On 22nd July 2025, the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) brought together clergy, lay leaders, and church communicators from across the region to officially launch For a Synodal Church: Final Document Made Simple. This accessible 72-page guide, published in collaboration with Paulines Publications Africa, translates the Synod’s theological vision into practical steps for implementation within local Church contexts.
Delivering the keynote address, Most Rev. Martin Kivuva, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa, and the Vice Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) – Commission for Social Communications. reflected on the inclusive spirit of the Synod, emphasizing that it created space for all the baptized to be heard. He urged communities to move beyond merely listening and instead begin embedding synodality into everyday parish life.
Archbishop Kivuva, who participated in both phases of the Synod Assembly in Rome alongside Archbishop Anthony Muheria, described the experience as a defining moment for the Church to embrace inclusivity. “The Synod was a chance for everyone to participate. Now, we are being called to take action,” he emphasized.
Adding to the reflections, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Makunde, AMECEA Secretary-General and Synod delegate, highlighted the practical nature of the new publication. He explained that the simplified edition outlines key phases of implementation, establishing synodal structures, clarifying formation pathways, and discerning spiritual gifts, and is designed to be usable by all members of the Church, thus ensuring a more inclusive and participatory approach.
“This document outlines the implementation phases, guiding us in creating new structures, identifying paths for formation, and opening ourselves to the spiritual gifts that God offers,” he said.
Written in a clear and accessible style, the book identifies the key actors in the implementation process and is tailored to ensure that all members of the Church, from clergy to laity, can easily understand and apply its message in their respective contexts.
Prior to the launch, over 70 Church leaders gathered for a two-day workshop in June 2025 at the Kurasini Centre in Tanzania, where they explored how to apply the guide in real-world ministry settings. Since then, Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) have played a vital role in promoting its application at both diocesan and grassroots levels across Eastern Africa. Workshops held in Uganda, Malawi, and Tanzania have further strengthened regional exchange and mutual learning in the journey of synodal implementation.
This regional initiative complements broader efforts by the Vatican, including the release of Pathways for the Implementation of the Synod, which offers a global interpretive framework for local Churches. It aligns with the Final Document of October 2024, which underscores themes such as communal discernment, accountability, the conversion of authority, and theological engagement, marking a continued journey toward a more inclusive, listening, and participatory Church.
For a Synodal Church: Final Document Made Simple underscores AMECEA’s commitment to grounding synodality in the lived experience of the Church in Africa. It opens space for ongoing conversations about formation, governance, and mission and serves as a key resource for guiding the faithful through the Synod’s implementation process.
