SECAM has outlined six pastoral proposals to address the issue of polygamy, as mandated by the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops
Newsroom (05/08/2025 Gaudium Press )The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has outlined six pastoral proposals to address the issue of polygamy, as mandated by the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. The proposals, presented in a document titled Accompaniment of Persons in Polygamous Situations, were introduced by Sr. Esther Lucas Jose Maria during SECAM’s 20th Plenary Assembly in Kigali, Rwanda, from July 29 to August 4, 2025.
The document, crafted through consultations with African theologians and ecclesiastical professionals, reaffirms the Catholic Church’s doctrine recognizing only monogamous marriage while offering pastoral strategies to engage individuals in polygamous situations. Sr. Esther, a Mozambican member of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and a theology lecturer, emphasized the Church’s commitment to inclusivity and conversion without deviating from its teachings.
Six Pastoral Proposals
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Welcoming Inclusion: The first proposal encourages welcoming individuals in polygamous situations into the Church community. Sr. Esther stressed that these individuals should have access to the Word of God through liturgical participation. “We can’t oblige these people to change,” she said in an August 2 interview with ACI Africa, advocating for an environment where personal discernment, guided by faith, leads to decisions about their lives.
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Fostering Belonging: The second proposal focuses on ensuring that parents, guardians, and children in polygamous families feel integrated into the Catholic community. Sr. Esther, speaking at the Kigali Convention Centre, emphasized that these individuals “should not feel ostracized” and must understand that salvation comes through Jesus Christ, not solely through sacraments.
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Supporting Widows: Addressing the cultural practice of wife inheritance, which often perpetuates polygamy, the third proposal calls for accompanying widows to help them live independently without being coerced into undesirable unions. Sr. Esther highlighted the need to support these women, who form a significant portion of those in polygamous situations.
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Promoting Conversion: The fourth proposal underscores the importance of accompanying individuals toward conversion. This involves guiding them to understand the Church’s teachings and encouraging personal transformation through faith.
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Redefining Fecundity: The fifth proposal broadens the concept of fecundity beyond biological parenthood to include acts of charity and service. Sr. Esther urged Church institutions to help those in polygamous unions embrace a wider understanding of contributing to the community.
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Strengthening Family Apostolate: The final proposal emphasizes catechesis tailored for families in polygamous situations, particularly those unable to receive certain sacraments. While the first wife in a polygamous union may be eligible for baptism, subsequent wives face restrictions. However, children from these unions can be baptized following catechesis. Sr. Esther noted that being from a polygamous family should not bar individuals from pursuing priestly or religious vocations, citing examples of bishops and cardinals from such backgrounds.
A Starting Point for Reflection
Sr. Esther described the proposals as “the beginning of our reflection,” acknowledging that they are not exhaustive and can be adjusted or supplemented with other approaches. “We have to be open to the ways of God,” she said, advocating for listening to the challenges faced by those in polygamous situations to better support their journey toward conversion.
The document also explores the causes and impacts of polygamy, noting its detrimental effects on women’s dignity. It addresses polyandry and incorporates interdisciplinary perspectives, including anthropological, theological, moral, and social approaches. Reviewed by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith, the document upholds the Church’s stance on monogamous marriage while emphasizing pastoral accompaniment.
Synod Context and Church’s Stance
Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya of Cameroon’s Bamenda Archdiocese clarified that the Synod on Synodality, initiated by Pope Francis in 2021 and extended to 2024, framed polygamy as a challenge to Christian marriage, not a practice to be endorsed. He described the pastoral approach as one of “listening, proximity, and accompaniment,” encouraging those in polygamous unions to engage with the Christian community and follow their consciences.
“Polygamy does not promote the dignity of man and woman as willed by God,” Archbishop Nkea stated, reinforcing that marriage, as a divine institution, is monogamous. He highlighted the transformative power of encountering Jesus Christ, which strengthens Christian marriage and underscores polygamy’s incompatibility with Church teaching.
Ongoing Dialogue
Following the Synod’s first session in October 2023, African bishops were tasked with fostering accompaniment for those in polygamous unions seeking faith. Sr. Esther’s presentation to SECAM’s Plenary Assembly, attended by 13 cardinals, over 100 archbishops and bishops, priests, religious, and partners, marks a significant step in this process. The document, yet to be made public, is seen as a foundation for ongoing theological and pastoral discernment across Africa’s diverse Catholic communities.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Africa
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