New Era of Solidarity for U.S. and African Bishops
In early February 2026, Catholic bishops from the United States and the African continent met in Washington, D.C., to formalize a new era of spiritual and social partnership.
The centerpieces of this gathering were the release of a landmark joint statement, “Brothers and Sisters in Hope,” and a Mass for Solidarity held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
The joint statement was issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). The document advocates for robust U.S. foreign aid to African nations; protecting human dignity by emphasizing “people over politics,” especially in regions affected by conflict or environmental degradation; and equitable trade regarding Africa’s critical minerals (such as cobalt and lithium), urging that these resources benefit local communities rather than fueling exploitation and child labor.
The bishops celebrated a Mass at the Basilica to give liturgical expression to their partnership. Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of Nigeria, who delivered the homily, described the U.S. and African Churches as “two lungs of the same body, breathing the same Spirit.”
The liturgy incorporated diverse cultural elements, featuring hymns in languages such as Swahili, Lingala, and Bété. Following the Mass, the congregation processed to the Chapel of Our Mother of Africa in the crypt of the Basilica for a litany honoring African saints, reinforcing the message that the African diaspora is a vital gift to the global Church.
This event marked a strategic shift toward a more reciprocal relationship, moving away from a “one-sided” view of humanitarian aid flowing from the United States to the African continent toward a model of mutual theological and pastoral exchange.
Photo: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., available in public domain via Wiki Commons.
