From September 16th to 19th, a significant gathering unfolded as the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC) and the Leadership Conference of Consecrated Life (LCCL) convened in Johannesburg. This event, termed the Joint Witness meeting, was immersed in the spirit of Synodality, echoing the collective aspiration of today’s Southern African Church to reflect deeply and share insights about the God’s calling in contemporary world.

In his address, His Excellency Archbishop Henryk Jagodzinski spoke on the theme of Synodality, a topic recently emphasised by Pope Francis. He underscored the essential role of collaboration within the Church, stating: “Collaboration within the Church is essential for its vitality. It requires the participation of all members in the mission of the Church.” This invitation to unity calls each of us to embrace our place in the Church, recognising that, despite our different positions, competencies, charisms, and gifts, we are all called to bear fruit in God’s Kingdom.

This is the true spirit of koinonia, where each member is deeply aware of belonging to the Body of Christ, with the Lord Jesus as its head. The beautiful words of St. Paulinus of Nola, written to St. Augustine at the beginning of the fifth century, come to mind:
“It is not surprising if, despite being far apart, we are present to each other and, without being acquainted, know each other, because we are members of one body, we have one head, we are steeped in one grace, we live on one loaf, we walk on one road, and we dwell in the same house” (Ep. 6,2).

This beautifully captures the essence of what it means to be Christians: to be part of the Body of Christ, living within the Church’s koinonia. Indeed, communion - koinonia has become the key to understanding the mystery of the Church, as highlighted by the Second Vatican Council. It is the sacrament of intimate union with God, and through this union, we experience the gift of new friendship among all of us.