The 17th plenary assembly of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) was held in Luanda, Angola (19-25 July). It is a Church assembly that brings together all the bishops of the continent. The family in Africa yesterday, today and tomorrow: in the light of the Gospel was the main theme of the meeting which was attended by some 150 cardinals and bishops.
The program also included three workshops on the influence of media and of new ideologies on the family in Africa today, the African perspective on the family, and the pastoral challenges.