Church leaders and lay members from Africa, Europe, America, and Australia have warned against secular trends impacting various aspects of the Church’s life, calling for effective evangelisation that respects family dynamics.
At the conference, which was held in Prague, Czech Republic, from 18 to 21 May 2026, with the theme “Secularisation, Family Dynamics, and Effective Evangelisation,” participants, including prelates, priests and lay people from Africa, Europe, America and Australia, pledged to promote family values and effective evangelisation to enrich the Church.
Further detailing the purpose of the gathering, one of the participants, the Metropolitan Archbishop of the See of Abuja, explained that the conference was “Aimed at promoting fraternity and the exchange of pastoral knowledge and experiences.”
According to him, “the event was sponsored by the Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture, Texas, USA.”
The Austin Institute is a hub for research scholars, students, and faculty to explore the truths of love, family, and human sexuality. It promotes sound academic research and organises programmes for honest discussions, all aimed at fostering a spirit of truth-seeking and personal growth.
The high points of the gathering were a pilgrimage to holy sites and the celebration of the Holy Mass presided over by Archbishop Kaigama.
Participants after the celebration of the Holy Mass presided over by Archbishop Kaigama.
“We had the opportunity to pray in the Church of the Holy Infant of Prague and the Church of Strahov Monstery,” Archbishop Kaigama noted adding that “As the chief celebrant at the Monastery Church, together with the Bishops, other clergy, and the lay Faithful.
During the Mass, the prelate “prayed for [the soul of] Mrs. Mary Imaezue, a former President of the Catholic Women’s Organisation (CWO) in the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, and, [who] until her death, [was] the Coordinator of the Laity Council in Karu Deanery.”
The 67-year-old Metropolitan Archbishop also disclosed, “I also used the opportunity to establish contact with our priests from the Archdiocese of Abuja who are on mission in the Czech Republic: Fr. Primus Okon and Fr. Vincent Iletogbe. They are keeping well and making commendable progress in their pastoral mission.
Participants during the conference.
The meeting was attended by three bishops from Nigeria: Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, the Archbishop of Abuja; Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of Lagos; and Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of Oyo.
Additionally, there was one Archbishop from Tanzania, Most Rev. Andrew Nkea, who is the Archbishop of Bamenda, Cameroon.
Editor’s Note: All photos are courtesy of Archbishop Ignatius A. Kaigama.
