An African Bishop, acclaimed for his humanitarian works, has cautioned against familiarity while calling for global synergy and collaboration between Churches and nations.
Most Rev. Stephen Mamza Dami, the Catholic Bishop of Yola, north-eastern Nigeria, President of the Justice, Peace and Development Commission (JPDC) for the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), made this call during at a historic Mass of solidarity between the Catholic Bishops of the United States of America and the Catholic Bishops of Africa which took place recently at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C.
The historic occasion where special prayers were offered to stem the tide of religious persecution in Nigeria, Africa and the world signifies the bond of episcopal union between the Bishops of the US and their counterparts in Africa, also offering an opportunity for theological exchange.
SECAM spearheads international assistance, mutual solidarity between Bishops and Faithful of the US and Africa
During his homily, Bishop Dami disclosed that the International Justice and Peace Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Justice Peace and Development commission of the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) announced a joint statement titled: “Brothers and Sisters in Hope: International Assistance and Mutual Solidarity between the Bishops and Faithful of the United States and Africa.”
He maintained that “This statement offers guiding themes for strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and Africa, rooted in Catholic social teaching,” which states that “The faithful of the U.S. and Africa are gifts to one another. Together, we call for robust lifesaving and life-affirming U.S. assistance to the continent, grounded in thoughtful partnership, and pray for the flourishing of an ever-deeper fraternity.”
He assured that “This historic statement was conceived of during the Jubilee of Hope. We are also privileged to announce it here in this Basilica, a place of hope for so many pilgrims.”
Citing the day’s gospel, Jesus “was amazed at their lack of faith,” (Mk 6:6), he warned against familiarity, stressing that “it hardens into disbelief.”
The 56-year-old cleric stated, “Today, we proclaim this Gospel in a very particular context: a Solidarity Mass uniting the Bishops of Africa and the Bishops of the United States of America. This context invites us to hear Mark’s Gospel not only as a story about Nazareth long ago, but as a mirror held up to the Church today.”
He further took the congregation on a catechesis on the danger of familiarity, overcoming the Nazareth within us, unity in the body of Christ, a solidarity of faith, a solidarity of listening, a solidarity of mission, and a solidarity of hope.
Solidarity as a conveyor belt of a hopeful universal Church
On the danger of familiarity, he observed that “we can become so accustomed to our own ways of worship, governance, theology, and pastoral practice that we fail to recognize the Spirit speaking through voices that sound different from our own,” clarifying that “Africa and the United States come from different histories, cultures, and ecclesial experiences. Africa often brings to the Church a faith that is vibrant, communal, and resilient in the face of poverty, conflict, and persecution.”
In like manner, Bishop Dami said, “The Church in the United States brings gifts of theological scholarship, institutional resources, and long experience engaging pluralistic societies. Yet the Gospel warns us today: if we see one another only through the lens of stereotypes, power, or past assumptions, we risk becoming like Nazareth—too familiar with our own perspectives to recognize Christ speaking through the other.”.
‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’”
Like Jesus, he invited bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful to emulate Jesus, who left Nazareth to continue his mission elsewhere, to overcome what he described as “the Nazareth within us” by being willing and ready to work for God.
On the need to develop global synergy, the Nigerian religious leader said, “Today Christ stands in our midst—African and American, north and south, rich and poor—not as a stranger, but as Lord. May this Solidarity Mass be an act of faith that amazes Jesus, not because of unbelief, but because of a Church willing to recognize him in one another. May we not say, ‘Is this not the carpenter?’ But instead proclaim with faith: ‘Truly, Christ is among us.’”
He affirmed that the solidarity between the Catholic Bishops of the United States of America and the Catholic Bishops of Africa is “a solidarity rooted not merely in shared mission, but in the very heart of the Gospel. Solidarity between the Catholic Bishops of the United States of America and the Catholic Bishops of Africa offers significant pastoral, social, theological, and global benefits for the Church and for society,” adding, “As we reflect on this Theme, I want us to be conscious of this African proverb that says, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’”
About unity in Christ, the cleric underlined that “The Church in the United States and the Church in Africa are not two separate entities. They are two lungs of the same Body, breathing the same Spirit. What strengthens one strengthens the whole. What wounds one wounds all. When African bishops speak courageously about war, poverty, corruption, or threats to human dignity, their voices echo in American dioceses.
“When American bishops defend the sanctity of life, advocate for migrants, or confront the culture of individualism, their witness strengthens the Church in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Congo, and beyond. We are, in truth, co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord.”
He used the occasion to call for a solidarity of faith that “is not founded first on economics or politics, but on faith,” noting that “The Church in Africa is a wellspring of youthful vibrancy, missionary energy, and evangelical joy.”
Dami emphasised that “The Church in the United States brings deep intellectual tradition, resources for formation, and a long-standing commitment to global mission. How powerful it is when these gifts are shared! When African dioceses send missionary priests to serve American parishes, the Gospel is enriched.
“When American dioceses offer scholarships, training, and material support to African seminaries and schools, the Gospel is advanced. When bishops from both continents stand together for peace, human dignity, and the sanctity of life, the Gospel is made visible to a world desperate for hope. This is the communion of saints made real in our time. This solidarity gives visible witness to unity across cultures, races and economic realities.”
The prelate encouraged a solidarity of listening which “begins not with speaking but with listening,” especially when “African bishops call the global Church to remember the poor, to defend the family, and to root moral teaching in lived experience rather than abstraction” and when “American bishops call the Church to engage culture with clarity, to protect religious liberty, and to uphold the dignity of migrants, refugees, and the unborn. Each has something essential to say. Each has something essential to hear. In an age of polarization, the unity of bishops is a prophetic sign—showing that Christ can hold together what the world insists must be divided.”
Concerning the great commission, the immediate past Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman of Adamawa State, said, “Together, bishops must confront global poverty and the exploitation of Africa’s resources. Together, they must resist ideologies—whether political, economic, or cultural—that undermine human dignity. Together, they must promote peace, especially where violence destroys the innocent.
“Together, they must defend life from conception to natural death. Together, they must evangelize a world increasingly skeptical of truth but longing—deeply longing—for God. When bishops from the United States and Africa stand united, they model the universality of the Gospel for the whole world. The exchange encourages a two-way mission, where both Churches learn and grow.”
Citing Pope Francis’s Evangelii Gaudium (2013), which emphasises missionary discipleship and the need for Churches to learn from one another, Pope Benedict XVI’s Africae Munus (2011), which encourages African bishops to collaborate internationally for peace, reconciliation, and justice, he argued for partnership with other episcopal conferences for pastoral and social development.
“If this solidarity in mission is to be taken seriously by the Church in America and the Church in Africa, we should have no reason to close down Churches in America for lack of priests. Similarly, we should have no reason to turn down the applications of qualified candidates aspiring to go to the Seminary for priestly formation in Africa for lack of resources,” he said.
His message about the solidarity of hope hinged on the fact that “Hope is the language both Churches know well.”
Conclusion
He reasoned that “The African Church teaches us hope through perseverance—hope in the face of persecution, disease, and conflict,” detailing that on the other hand, “The American Church teaches us hope through renewal—hope amid secularism, moral confusion, and social division.”
However, Dami insisted that together the two churches “proclaim a hope that does not disappoint” and, citing the gracious words of Pope Francis, he said, “No one is saved alone.”
According to him, “The same is true for the Church’s mission: no Church evangelizes alone; no bishop shepherds alone; no continent stands alone. The Second Vatican Council Ad Gentes (1965) teaches that all local Churches share responsibility for global mission. They should support missionary exchange of clergy, resources, and pastoral experience (AG 2, 38).”
He also spoke of the affinity between the Cross and the Communion, stressing that “at the foot of the Cross stood people from different places, different experiences, and different wounds—but under the Cross, they became one.”
Similarly, the prelate maintained that “under the Cross, the bishops of the United States and Africa are called to stand together. Solidarity between the Catholic Bishops of the United States and African Bishops deepens faith, mission, justice, and unity within the Church.”
Bishop Dami assured that this “strengthens both regions by promoting mutual respect, shared responsibility, and a common commitment to serving humanity in the light of the Gospel,” and prayed for a deepening of friendship, mutual respect and deeper collaboration under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
