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 sustain the Church's growing pastoral and formation needs. In responses to ACI Africa, the bishops proposed using long-term budgets, professional management of income-generating activities, and contributions from the faithful according to their means. They also emphasized the need for cooperation between dioceses, institutes of consecrated life, and societies of apostolic life.

These calls follow data from Agenzia Fides showing that Africa's Catholic population has surpassed that of Europe. 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.

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