Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network
Who We Are
“Abundant Life for God’s People in Africa”
About PACTPAN
The Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) is a community of African scholars and pastoral agents in the Catholic tradition and their ecumenical and inter-religious partners. PACTPAN provides an inclusive space, like an African village square, where African Catholic scholars, church leaders, grassroots pastoral agents, social justice leaders, and change agents work together.
We are committed African Christian leaders who together read the signs of the times in Africa and the world through the hopes and cries of our people, especially the poor. We pay attention to where God is at work in the midst of our faith communities and the wider African societies.
Through our collaboration inspired by the Gospel and the experience of the Christian faith in Africa, we seek to bridge the gap between pastoral ministry and ecclesiastical studies through multi-disciplinary, inter-disciplinary, and trans-disciplinary scholarly research, advocacy, and grassroot evangelization and integral development.
We are convinced that God has given Africa the privilege of leading the World Church in these challenging times and wish to support our Church leaders and faithful with the theological, pastoral, and spiritual resources they need to lead God’s people in Africa and the world.
Scholarly Research
Multi-disciplinary, inter-disciplinary, and trans-disciplinary research bridging pastoral ministry and ecclesiastical studies.
Advocacy
A voice for the voiceless — championing human rights, religious freedom, and social transformation across Africa.
Pastoral Formation
Educational formation and ongoing professional development for laity, religious and clergy in diverse pastoral contexts.
Partnership
Close collaboration with Catholic universities, dioceses, religious congregations, episcopal conferences, and the Holy See.
Publication
Amplifying African Catholic voices through publications focused on the life of the Church in Africa and the diaspora.
Grassroots Evangelization
Supporting members to work locally, translating faith into action for abundant life amid Africa’s socio-economic challenges.
Brief History
The African Catholicism Project was launched at the Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology, DePaul University, Chicago, under the leadership of Fr. Stan Chu Ilo (Nigeria) — an international collaborative effort to expand the production and distribution of scholarly and pastoral resources by African Catholic scholars.
PACTPAN formally began through a unanimous agreement reached by participants at the First Pan-African Catholic Congress on Theology, Society, and Pastoral Life, held at Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, Nigeria.
PACTPAN is housed at the Center for World Catholicism and Inter-Cultural Theology (CWCIT), DePaul University, with offices across the continent. Membership is open to all African Catholic Church leaders and frontline pastoral workers who accept the vision and mission of PACTPAN. Scholars and pastoral agents from other Christian and religious traditions join as partners.
Our Offices
Chicago, USA
DePaul University, CWCIT — Global Headquarters
Nairobi, Kenya
East Africa Regional Office
Abuja, Nigeria
West Africa Regional Office
Lubumbashi, DRC
Central Africa Regional Office
Rome, Italy
European Liaison Office
Mission
PACTPAN serves as a permanent agency for inter-disciplinary, multi-disciplinary, and trans-disciplinary research for African Catholic scholars, pastoral leaders, Church frontline and grassroots workers in cities and villages in Africa.
PACTPAN undertakes ongoing online academic conversations, training, and formation; unit-based focused and theme-centered research; advocacy for women, children, the poor, and those who inhabit the existential peripheries in Africa; and a biannual Pan-African Catholic Congress on current issues in the Church focusing on the living, breathing realities of lived Catholicism and the daily triumphs and struggles of God’s people in Africa.
PACTPAN supports her members to serve the poor and promote the leadership of faith-based women and women religious in Africa who are working in diverse communities especially in rural communities. Members are encouraged and supported to work locally in their own contexts to support the effort of the Church Family of God in Africa in the mission of bringing about the reign of God in the daily lives of our people.
An important aspect of PACTPAN’s work is advocacy — every member and every unit is committed to being a voice for the voiceless. PACTPAN runs a welfare scheme to support members who face any difficulty, and it has teams of experts working to put an end to human trafficking, modern day slavery, sexual abuse of women in Church and society, and child abuse and neglect.
PACTPAN also advocates for human rights, religious freedom, and social transformation and good governance in the state as well as in the Church. The Assembly works with core leadership to choose research topics based on current issues in Africa, drawing from the daily life of God’s people and paying special attention to themes identified by SECAM, local bishops, and the papal magisterium.
Vision
PACTPAN exists to encourage her members to believe in a better possible Church and society in Africa. PACTPAN members challenge themselves to swim against the current and dare to think differently and work collaboratively in new ways every day to bring about changes in the Church and society in Africa.
The Vision of the Network is to bridge the gap between pastoral practice and multi-disciplinary scholarly work on the African continent by collaboratively listening to God speaking through the voices of God’s people in Africa, especially the poor, in order to inspire hope and transformational faith and promote, create, curate, and celebrate best pastoral practices for the betterment of Church and society and the procurement of abundant life for God’s people in Africa.
— St. Vincent de Paul: “What is done without taking the time to do it well, does not stand the test of time.”
Governance
The Constitution of PACTPAN establishes a clear governance structure that ensures accountability, collaboration, and faithful stewardship of the Network’s mission.
Executive Board
Headed by an elected Coordinating Servant, the Board provides strategic oversight and final authority on Network affairs.
Core Leadership Team
Coordinated by the Director of Programs, this team manages daily operations and the implementation of PACTPAN’s programs.
National Chapters
National leaders across Africa lead country-level chapters, ensuring local relevance and grassroots participation.
Friends of PACTPAN
The U.S.-based Friends of the Pan-African Catholic Network Inc. provides international support and fundraising.
Join the Network
Become part of a growing community of African Catholic scholars, pastoral agents, and change-makers.