Caritas Africa hosted a major conference to commemorate 20 years of Deus Caritas Est (“God is Love”), originally issued by Pope Benedict XVI. The gathering brought together Church leaders, Caritas members, and partners, including the Executive Secretary, Fr Peter Audu, to reflect on the enduring role of love in the Church’s mission of charity.
The conference took place from March 16–20, 2026, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, serving as a central platform for dialogue and renewal among stakeholders across Africa.
Caritas Africa organized the event in collaboration with key Church bodies, including representatives from SECAM and leaders from Caritas Internationalis, alongside bishops and other partners.
The conference was convened to celebrate the anniversary of the encyclical and to deepen understanding of its message. Under the theme “20 Years of Deus Caritas Est: Caritas as a Catalyst for Love, Service, and Social Transformation in Africa,” participants explored how charity work can be strengthened while promoting a more synodal Church.
Through panel discussions, spiritual reflections, and cultural performances, participants examined both challenges and opportunities in organizing effective charity initiatives. They reaffirmed Caritas’s ecclesiological identity and emphasized the need to promote love and service in all outreach efforts.
The gathering achieved this by aligning its outcomes with Caritas Africa’s strategic goals and the teachings of Pope Francis, particularly his emphasis on Catholic Social Teaching. It ultimately aimed to renew commitment to serving the poor and marginalized while fostering a lasting culture of love and solidarity across the continent.
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