In a significant development for the Catholic Church in Africa, Most Reverend Stephen Dami Mamza, the Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese in Adamawa State, Nigeria, has been elected as the First Vice President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). His election marks a historic milestone, as it is the first time a Nigerian bishop from Yola has assumed such a prestigious continental role within the Church’s hierarchy. Bishop Mamza, who previously served as the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Adamawa State, was chosen during the 20th Plenary Assembly of SECAM, held in Kigali, Rwanda. The high-level gathering brought together Catholic bishops from across Africa and Madagascar to reflect on the future of the Church, its mission, and its strategic spiritual direction. New SECAM Leadership Structure During the same plenary session, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, a Congolese prelate and the Archbishop of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, was elected as the new President of SECAM. In addition, Most Reverend José Manuel Imbamba, the Bishop of Dundo in Angola, emerged as the Second Vice President. In other key appointments: Warm Reception in Yola Diocese Bishop Mamza’s election as First Vice President of SECAM was met with heartfelt joy, celebration, and spiritual pride among members of the Yola Catholic Diocese. Both clergy and lay faithful expressed their congratulations, describing his new role as well-deserved and timely. Parishioners and religious leaders within the diocese commended Bishop Mamza’s unwavering dedication to ecclesiastical service, pastoral care, and leadership across both local and national levels. They also voiced optimism that he will thrive in his new assignment and bring further spiritual and administrative growth to the Church across Africa. This elevation is seen as a testament to Bishop Mamza’s outstanding contributions to Christian unity, his advocacy for peace, and his role in community development, especially in a region historically challenged by insecurity and humanitarian concerns.
