Synodality and Evangelization: A Call from the Apostolic Nuncio in South Africa
Johannesburg, 22 January 2026 – A leading figure of the Catholic Church in South Africa, the Apostolic Nuncio, underscored a foundational message at the Bishops’ Plenary Assembly: synodality and evangelization are inseparably linked. The comment, delivered amid discussions on the Church’s mission in a dynamic and diverse nation, emphasizes that listening, walking together, and discerning in communion are not just ecclesial ideals but practical pathways to spreading the Gospel.
The plenary gathering brought together diocesan bishops, auxiliary prelates, and key lay collaborators who work daily in parishes, schools, and Catholic humanitarian networks. The atmosphere reflected a church intent on reaffirming its mandate to announce the Gospel with credibility in a rapidly changing society. In this context, the Apostolic Nuncio framed synodality as both a spiritual posture and a strategic method for evangelization.
What Synodality Means for the Mission
In the Nuncio’s view, synodality entails more than consultative processes or formal gatherings. It is a lived experience of walking together in mission. This approach requires local churches to listen—to hear the voices of lay believers, young people, and marginalized communities—and to translate those insights into concrete evangelizing actions. The Nuncio noted that genuine synodality fosters trust, collaboration, and renewed energy for sharing the Christian message in a context where secularism, religious plurality, and social challenges are increasingly prominent.
Key to this perspective is the understanding that evangelization is not merely the transfer of doctrinal content but the formation of communities that witness to the Gospel through service, charity, and daily integrity. When bishops, priests, religious, and lay Catholics collaborate in decision-making and outreach, the Church’s missionary presence becomes more credible and attractive to those seeking meaning and hope.
Implications for South Africa’s Church
South Africa’s complex social fabric—marked by its history, economic disparities, and cultural diversity—demands a robust and inclusive approach to evangelization. The Apostolic Nuncio emphasized that synodality calls for listening to victims of poverty, communities affected by migration, and young people navigating a digital world. By aligning discernment with action, the Church can respond to concrete needs—education, healthcare, social justice, and interfaith dialogue—while remaining faithful to Gospel truths.
During the assembly, participants reflected on how dioceses might structure their pastoral plans to be more synodal in practice. Proposals included transparent consultation processes, more visible lay leadership in parish life, and renewed training for clergy that centers on accompaniment, discernment, and mission. These steps aim to create missionary communities that are not only fiscally or administratively efficient but spiritually vibrant and outward-facing.
Unity in Mission
The Nuncio’s message highlighted unity as the engine of a collective evangelization effort. In the face of local and global challenges—rising secularism, economic stress, and social fragmentation—the Church’s strength lies in its ability to journey together. When ecclesial authorities and lay believers co-create paths for evangelization, the Church can present a compelling witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.
Observers noted that the plenary’s tone was hopeful and pragmatic. There was broad consensus that synodality should shape not only polemics or debates but the very fabric of pastoral planning. The result, participants agreed, will be a diocesan and national posture that is more collaborative, more attentive to the needs of people on the ground, and more effective in announcing Christ’s message with compassion and clarity.
Looking Ahead
As South Africa’s Catholic community continues its journey, the call to synchronize synodality with evangelization remains a guiding beacon. The Apostolic Nuncio affirmed that this synthesis is essential for building stronger parish networks, empowering lay movements, and forming missionary disciples who can articulate the faith in ways that resonate with contemporary life. The bishops’ plenary thus closes with a renewed resolve to translate listening and discernment into concrete initiatives that advance the Church’s evangelizing mission across the nation.
In South Africa, the dialogue between unity and mission is ongoing, with the Church’s leadership committing to continued consultation, collaboration, and concrete acts of service. The message delivered by the Apostolic Nuncio during this plenary will likely shape regional and national strategies for evangelization in the months to come, reinforcing the timeless principle that synodality and evangelization are, in truth, two sides of the same coin.
