PACTPAN, University of Würzburg, and the Institute for World Church and Mission Convene International Conference on Synodality Engaging Synodality: Intercultural Perspectives for Re-Imagining Pastoral Possibilities Würzburg, Germany | July 1–3, 2026 The Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN), in collaboration with the Institute for World Church and Mission (Institut für Weltkirche und Mission), Germany, and Julius-Maximilians University of Würzburg, is pleased to announce an international theological and pastoral conference on the theme: “Engaging Synodality: Intercultural Perspectives for Re-Imagining Pastoral Possibilities.” The conference will take place from July 1–3, 2026, in Würzburg, Germany, bringing together leading theologians, pastoral practitioners, canonists, religious leaders, and scholars from Africa, Europe, Asia, and Latin America to reflect on one of the most significant ecclesial developments of our time: the reception and implementation of synodality in the life and mission of the Church. At a time when Pope Leo XIV continues the Church’s commitment to becoming a more missionary, participatory, and listening Church, this gathering seeks to explore how synodality can move beyond theory and become a lived reality in diverse ecclesial, cultural, and social contexts. Participants will examine how local Churches across the world are responding to the call to walk together, discern together, and share responsibility for the mission of the People of God. The conference will open with a keynote lecture by Prof. Klara A. Csiszar (Romania–Austria) on: “Translating Doctrine into Practice: Mission as the Alpha and Omega of Synodality” Her presentation will highlight the relationship between synodality, missionary discipleship, and pastoral conversion. Over three days, participants will engage a wide range of themes shaping contemporary ecclesial life, including: A highlight of the conference will be the keynote address by Fr. Stan Chu Ilo (Nigeria–USA), Coordinating Servant of PACTPAN, entitled: “Nothing About Me Without Me: Co-Responsibility in a Synodal Church Family of God” His presentation will explore one of the central questions emerging from the Synod on Synodality: how the Church can foster authentic participation, shared discernment, and collaborative leadership among all the baptized while respecting the distinct vocations and responsibilities within the People of God. The conference will feature distinguished speakers from Germany, Argentina, Singapore, Cameroon, Nigeria, Italy, the Philippines, Kenya, Mexico, Ghana, Spain, and India, reflecting the truly global and intercultural nature of contemporary Catholicism. Through keynote lectures, panel discussions, workshops, and participatory conversations, participants will examine both the opportunities and challenges of implementing synodality across diverse ecclesial and cultural settings. Particular attention will be given to the contribution of the Global South to contemporary ecclesiology. Presentations such as “Synodality as Palaver: The African Church and New Pathways to Being Church in the Contemporary World,” “Synodality and Mission: Reimagining the Prophetic Life of African Women Religious,” and “‘Lived Synodality’ as a Pastoral Style for Safeguarding” will highlight emerging perspectives from Africa and their significance for the universal Church. The conference further seeks to deepen understanding of synodality as both a theological vision and a practical method for ecclesial life. Participants will explore critical questions such as: According to the organizing institutions, the gathering represents an important opportunity for mutual learning among Churches from different regions of the world. By bringing together diverse experiences and perspectives, the conference aims to contribute to the ongoing reception of the Synod on Synodality and to generate new pastoral pathways for the Church in the twenty-first century. PACTPAN is honored to partner with the Institute for World Church and Mission and Julius-Maximilians University of Würzburg in advancing this important conversation and strengthening global theological collaboration in service of a more synodal, missionary, and intercultural Church. Media Contact PACTPAN – Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network Sr Helen KasakaDirector of Communication Email: communication@pactpan.org Conference Dates: July 1–3, 2026Venue: Julius-Maximilians University of Würzburg, Germany Conference Theme:Engaging Synodality: Intercultural Perspectives for Re-Imagining Pastoral Possibilities

Project Director: Sr Leonida Katunge Sr Leonida is a theologian, lawyer, grassroots organizer, and Director of Programs for the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network. As a lawyer, she has been in the fore in the fight for the rights of women and children, especially in securing the inheritance of widows from family members, fighting against sexual exploitation, domestic violence and rape. The new frontiers of her fight have now expanded because of the sad realities facing many young girls in East Africa and other parts of Africa that worsened with the advent of COVID-19 pandemic. When the World Cup was awarded to Qatar, the country and other neighboring countries in the Middle East opened itself to welcoming many workers from Africa and Asia. Many girls from East Africa were lured by criminal gangs and sex traffickers to many countries in the Middle East. The main route for this trafficking rings is Kenya (https://enactafrica.org/enact-observer/east-african-human-trafficking-rings-expand-their-operations) This project is inspired by the message of Pope Francis in Fratelli Tutti where he says that “we cannot be indifferent to suffering; we cannot allow anyone to go through life as an outcast” (FT, 68). Sadly, many of these trafficked girls return to East Africa as outcast. Many of them are roaming the streets in the Middle East as outcast. This latest aspect of this sad reality of the sexual exploitation and trafficking of African girls is only a continuation of a terrible pattern of violation of African girls that was prevalent in the 80’s and 90’s with the trafficking of African girls and their sexual enslavement in many European countries. In the many wars in Africa particularly in Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, Northern Uganda and Central African Republic, and the asymmetrical warfare in the African Sahel, many young girls have been forced into marriages to warlords, raped, killed, and discarded. We also have the cases of young girls who are brought from the rural areas to work as domestic servants in the big cities like Nairobi and Mombasa who end up being sexually abused and violated by their masters or mistresses. Challenged by these sad realities, Sr Leonida and her team of nuns and social workers, lawyers, educationists and psychologists who work with her are committed to fighting for these girls, helping to rehabilitate them, heal their hidden wounds, teach them new skills for re-entry into society, and thus restore their dignity and humanity. It is also a fight that her team is waging against powerful interest groups and criminal networks who will do any and everything to evade the law and to harm those who are working by night and day to dismantle this criminal gang; expose their nefarious activities and conscientize African communities, countries, religious and political leaders on the need to embrace this fight as the most important fight of our times. Unless we stop the abuse and violation of our young people in Africa, there is no future for the continent. We will distinguish ourselves as a special force that uses the word of God, Magisterium and Social teachings of the Church to establish a safer environment and a unified front against trafficking of the girl child. This will be achieved through: Production of a Documentary The documentary will raise awareness and advocate against the trafficking of girls. It will also be a  powerful way to shed light on this important issue in the Church and the wider society.  It will have four chapters: 2: Prevention and Outreach For this to happen we will 3. Ongoing Support This initiative is a project of PACTPAN’s Unit on Women and Gender  and is carried out with the support of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Mombasa which has been engaged in rescuing the trafficked young women at the coastal part of the country. Consultants Sr Caroline Mbonu Sr Nkechi Iwuoha Angelo Izama Fr Stan Chu Ilo Sr Josee Ngalula Sr Angelique Namaika Sr Rosemary Nyirumbe Sr, Elizabeth Nduku. Bishop Hiiboro Kusala  

The BBI Nigeria steering committee organized a virtual talk show for all cohorts and their mentors. There were also other participants from other countries across the African continent. The presenter of this talk show was Dame Bridget Itsueli, and the moderator was Mrs. Nneka Okekearu. The presenter focused her teaching the young ones how to build purposeful relationships. She stressed the need for networking among men and women since both genders come from God with their dignity and destiny and are only different in looks. Leaning on Pope John Paul II’s teaching in his “theology of the body,” the presenter taught that “we are more than biology, we’re also a theology – our humanity speaks and expresses divinity. We don’t have enough time to manifest our infinite capacities. This tells us that we are a unique, unrepeatable gift. We are different, unique, and gifted to influence our environment. That is, if I am a gift, I am gifted to give fragrance and taste; I am an influencer and not a user – I am a restorer, not a depleter; I positively promote the goodness of God. She enlightened the young ones and charged them not to neglect their humanity in all they do. It is important to know how to love and teach love and be intentional when we love. She listed Eros, Filia and Agape as the three known types of love. However, both Eros and Filia are being harnessed and ennobled into Agape. As humans, we respond to positive affections in different ways; thus, every human relationship must have a purpose. This cannot be without constant nurturing, or else it dies. She affirmed that Love, networking and relationships take a lot of work, effort and sacrifice. Despite this undeniable need for relating, relationships demand boundaries. They must have well-defined purposes and expectations, which, when not met, defeat their aim. There is also a natural desire to couple; we are sexual beings. Even when we give it up in celibacy, we do not detest it but offer what is most precious to us and return it to God. Nuptiality in celibacy does not cease to exist because we are sexual beings; thus, a celibate must work daily on his being sexual too. Even in dating or courtship, you must have a purpose for it; else, it becomes exploitative. In this networking, we find the connectors. There should be mutual benefits, and the focus is not on personal needs. Every relationship must have the desire to will the good of the other. Not in a transactional way but as a gift to the other. Unless we can serve, our relationships are useless and transactional. She noted that boys must not see themselves as victims of female seduction but as gifts to women. They must be taught the truth, or they will become addicted to porn and masturbation due to education in this aspect of their life. The talk also entertained questions about contributions and interactions from the young ones, their mentors and steering committee members. It was finally agreed that this meeting should continue discussing the theme to find proper guidance. The young ones were urged to be open in discussing issues of sexuality and to get guidance from the right source. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Email