African Catholic Bishops Urge Local Support, Financial Accountability to Sustain Church’s Growth

African Catholic bishops are calling for increased local support and transparent financial management to meet the growing pastoral and formation needs of the Church. In responses to ACI Africa, the bishops proposed using long-term budgets, professional management of income-generating activities, and contributions from the faithful based on their means. They also recommended closer cooperation between dioceses and institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life.

The call for financial planning follows data from Agenzia Fides showing that Africa's Catholic population has surpassed Europe's. As of June 30, 2024, Africa recorded 288.312 million Catholics, while Europe had 287.240 million. Africa also saw the largest increase in Catholics globally, adding 7.58 million people.

Bishop Joseph Kacou Aka of the Diocese of Yamoussoukro in Ivory Coast stated that dioceses and religious congregations require realistic multi-year plans to manage continuing costs. The Fides report also noted that Africa was the only continent to record growth in major seminarians, adding 786 students while the global total declined by 2,891. Africa also recorded a net increase of 1,676 priests.