Constitution

Preamble

The Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) is a community of African scholars and pastoral agents in the Catholic tradition working with their ecumenical and inter-religious partners.

The Members of PACTPAN acknowledge, profess, and affirm their faith in God and the beliefs, practices, and teaching of the Catholic Church. The Network is aware of the changing context of faith and the challenges and opportunities of living that faith in pluralistic societies in Africa and the world today. It appreciates the role that African Catholicism plays as a salt and light to Africa and the world as the family of God at the service of God’s kingdom.

PACTPAN recognises the need to remain steadfast in the doctrines of the Church and the message of the Gospel and fidelity to the practices and priorities of the Lord Jesus.

Citation

This Constitution shall be cited as “The Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network Constitution”, hereinafter referred to as “THE CONSTITUTION.”

Character

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 and formation; unit-based focused and theme-centered research; and a biannual Pan-African Catholic Congress on current issues in the Church.

Definition of Terms

Objectives of the Network

1. To undertake academic conversations and formations through unit-based, theme-centered research and a biannual Pan-African Catholic Congress on current issues in the Church focusing on the struggles of God’s people in Africa.
2. To act as an agency for publication of works by African scholars, mentoring and dissemination of research, and for amplifying the voices of African Catholics, especially women and the poor, through multiple channels and platforms both locally and internationally.
3. To foster collaboration among African Catholic scholars working in Africa and other continents.
4. To support the work of African Catholic scholars teaching in under-resourced institutions in Africa.
5. To encourage interdisciplinary, cross-disciplinary, and trans-disciplinary work among Catholic scholars studying African Catholicism.
6. To produce written resources, both in print and online, serving both the scholarly community and the pastoral needs of the Catholic Church in Africa.
7. To ensure the continuity of African scholarship through the mentoring of the next generation of African Catholic scholars.

Membership

Membership is open to all African Catholic scholars and pastoral agents in and outside Africa who accept the mission and vision of PACTPAN.

Acquisition of Membership

There are three types of membership: Ordinary Membership, Associate Membership, and Titular Membership.

1. Ordinary Membership is open to Catholic faithful, whether clerics, religious, or lay people.
2. Associate Membership is open to Catholic scholars who are interested in the activities and spirit of PACTPAN, and available for specific activities.
3. Both types of members shall submit their particular interests for PACTPAN, indicate their area of service and availability. From this commitment the person is enrolled to membership with the obligations and rights of members in accordance with the Constitution.
4. Titular Membership shall be accorded to any Catholic Bishop from Africa, and to any other person presented by the Core Leadership for approval by the Governing Body.

Loss of Membership

Membership is lost by:

1. Formal withdrawal from the Network, made known in writing through the Coordinating Servant.
2. Failure to meet commitments without significant justification.
3. Failure to conform to the norms of the Network as contained in the Constitution or any agreement recorded in meeting minutes.
4. Indulging in any act that can tarnish the image of the Network.
5. Death of the member.

In instances (ii) to (iv) above, an interpellation is first issued by the Governing Body; in persistence, a formal written expulsion is decided by a majority of members present at the PACTPAN Assembly. Lost membership can be regained through application to the Core Leadership with a promise to abide by the Network’s constitution and a renewal of commitment to PACTPAN.

Network Leadership, Management and Governance

The Network shall have four levels of governance:

Board of Trustees

1. Shall be made up of influential church leaders in Africa and outside Africa appointed by the core leadership team based on recommendations of members of PACTPAN and current members of the Board.
2. It shall constitute not more than 12 members and not less than 7 members — comprising three bishops, three priests, three female religious, three lay Catholics, and the Coordinating Servant and two Assistant Coordinating Servants as ex-officio non-voting members.
3. Members shall serve a period of five years, renewable based on satisfactory performance.
4. To be a member of the Board of Trustees, one must:
   1. Possess exemplary leadership in the pastoral, academic, or public service field;
   2. Demonstrate commitment towards the vision and mission of PACTPAN;
   3. Be devoted to transforming Africa through committed service for the emergence of a vital church in Africa.
5. The functions of the Board of Trustees shall be limited to:
   1. Serving as advisors to the core leadership on fidelity to the vision and mission of PACTPAN;
   2. Playing an oversight function on the work of the leadership of PACTPAN;
   3. Helping to advance the mission of PACTPAN in the local churches and in the World Church.
6. The decision of the Board shall be binding if decided by a 2/3 majority.
7. The term of service of the Board of Trustees shall terminate upon: end of term; one month’s notice; missing two consecutive meetings without valid reason; or death or legal incapacitation.

The Executive Board

1. Shall constitute the governance unit in charge of daily operations of the Network.
2. The board shall be made up of the Coordinating Servant (who chairs meetings); two Assistant Coordinating Servants (Administrative and Programs); the Director of Programs; the Financial Officer/Fundraiser; the Administrative Officer; two executive officers; and the Head of Media and Communication.
3. Membership will be determined by the core leadership. The Coordinating Servant nominates candidates after consultation with the Board of Trustees, submitting nominations to the core leadership for final decision.
4. The Board’s role is to:
   1. Implement the decisions of the core leadership;
   2. Prepare for meetings of the core leadership;
   3. Manage day-to-day administration of the activities and mission of the network.

The Core Leadership Team

1. Responsible for the proper and professional functioning of the Network.
2. Made up of five leaders of each research unit and the local organising committee of the Pan-African Catholic Congress.
3. Shall meet six times a year — first meeting in January and last in December.
4. The first and last meetings must be presided over by the Coordinating Servant or Assistant Coordinating Servant.
5. Functions include:
   1. Developing programs, rules, measures, and quality control to help the Network realise its vision, mission, and goals;
   2. Serving as the central organising and governing board and principal decision-making organ of the Network;
   3. Approving research projects, reviewing proposals for grants, partnerships, and contracts;
   4. Monitoring execution of all projects and undertaking an annual evaluation of governance;
   5. Recommending removal of members for grave violation of the Constitution;
   6. Conducting an independent internal audit of the Network yearly.
6. Decisions are to be reached through consensus. Any matter put to a vote shall be decided by a 2/3 majority.
7. Every member shall serve a five-year term, renewable based on satisfactory performance.
8. One ceases to be a member upon: conflict of interest; failure to attend three or more meetings without just cause; serious moral violation; teachings contradicting Catholic Church beliefs; disobedience to constituted authorities; or ceasing to be a Network member.

PACTPAN Assembly

1. Shall constitute all registered members of the Network and the governance team. The Assembly is an open forum for accountability, held four times a year, and reserves the right to endorse or reject any recommendations by members.
2. Decisions at the Assembly shall be arrived at through consensus or supported by 2/3 of members present.

Elections, Finances and Meetings

Elections

1. Elections for respective governance structures shall be held as per Schedule Three of this Constitution.
2. Elections shall be by majority vote, with members deciding the mode of voting.
3. Only members of the Network shall be eligible for any elective office.
4. Only members present at the time of voting may vote.
5. An official is deemed elected if he or she secures a simple majority of all valid votes cast.

Finances and Audits

1. The Network must at all times maintain transparency and accountability; project heads must be in charge of their project throughout.
2. The Network will raise money through fundraising, membership fees and dues, sale of Network products, and donations from churches and other legitimate agencies.
3. The Network may receive contributions from donor agencies in Africa and worldwide. However, it shall not receive donations from organisations whose policies contradict Catholic doctrine or harm African agency and the environment.
4. All donations shall be deposited in the Network’s accounts and used for the benefit of the Network’s activities.
5. All funded projects must have two co-leaders and a team of five to provide support and oversight.
6. All applications for external funds must be made by the Coordinating Servant or a designated Executive Board member, with all projects having two co-directors.
7. The Executive Board shall prepare an annual budget on or before November of every preceding year. The budget can only be reviewed under extreme necessity approved by the Core Leadership Team.
8. Administrative cost is kept to a 5% expense-to-revenue ratio.
9. An independent auditor shall be appointed by the Core Leadership Team. All accounts, records, and documents shall be open to inspection at any time. The Finance Officer shall produce accounts up to 31st December of each year.

Research Units

PACTPAN organises its scholarly and pastoral work through focused research units, each led by a coordinator and a team of specialists. Current research units include:

• Health and Healing Unit
• Religious Freedom and Human Dignity
• Vital Church
• The Army Against Human Trafficking
• Let the Little Children Come to Me
• Laudato Sî — On Ecology
• Mary at the Foot of the Cross
• Marriage and Family Life
• Youth Advisory Board
• Synodality and Palaver

Each unit undertakes focused research, advocacy, and pastoral programming aligned with PACTPAN’s mission. Unit leaders form part of the Core Leadership Team.

Amendments to the Constitution

Any proposed amendment to this Constitution must be submitted in writing to the Coordinating Servant at least 30 days before the relevant Assembly meeting. Amendments shall be adopted if approved by a 2/3 majority of members present and voting at a duly constituted Assembly meeting.