Bishops Celebrate Mass for Solidarity Between African and U.S. Catholics

Liturgy highlights shared faith and mission between the two church communities

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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A Mass for Solidarity with the Bishops and Faithful of Africa was held on February 4, 2026 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The Mass was celebrated by bishops representing the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar. The liturgy followed a joint statement, 'Brothers and Sisters in Hope,' issued by the USCCB and SECAM on February 2.

Why it matters

The Mass for Solidarity celebrated the shared gifts of faith between Catholics in Africa and the United States, highlighting their unity in Christ despite differences in history, culture, and ecclesial experiences. It came at a time when U.S. and other Western countries have significantly reduced international humanitarian assistance, underscoring the importance of the Church's global solidarity.

The details

Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, Illinois, was the main celebrant of the Mass, which was concelebrated by bishops including Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon in Los Angeles and Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of the Diocese of Yola in Nigeria, who gave the homily. Bishop Mamza spoke of the Boko Haram insurgency in his diocese and the critical support provided by the universal Church, including Catholic institutions in Hungary and Germany, as well as Catholic Relief Services in the U.S.

  • The Mass for Solidarity was held on February 4, 2026.
  • The joint statement 'Brothers and Sisters in Hope' was issued by the USCCB and SECAM on February 2, 2026.

The players

Bishop David J. Malloy

The Bishop of Rockford, Illinois, who was the main celebrant of the Mass for Solidarity.

Bishop A. Elias Zaidan

The Bishop of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon in Los Angeles, who serves as the chairman of the USCCB's Committee on International Justice and Peace.

Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza

The Bishop of the Diocese of Yola in Nigeria, who served as the homilist at the Mass for Solidarity and is the first vice president of SECAM.

Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala

The Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, D.C., who concelebrated the Mass for Solidarity.

Martial Kawunde

A member of St. Mary's Parish in Landover Hills, Maryland, whose family has roots in Uganda and who read a prayer at the Mass.

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What they’re saying

“The Boko Haram insurgency led to my deep involvement in taking care of the internally displaced persons who ran for their lives to Yola, the state capital, looking for shelter.”

— Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza, Bishop of the Diocese of Yola in Nigeria (cathstan.org)

“Together, bishops must confront global poverty and the exploitation of Africa's resources and together promote peace in the face of violence, resist ideologies undermining human dignity, and defend life from conception to natural death.”

— Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza, Bishop of the Diocese of Yola in Nigeria (cathstan.org)

“If we don't stand up for justice as a Church, we fail humanity. We are brothers and sisters as a Church.”

— Martial Kawunde, Member of St. Mary's Parish in Landover Hills, Maryland (cathstan.org)

What’s next

The bishops plan to continue their collaboration and advocacy for increased U.S. international assistance to developing nations, especially in Africa, in the face of significant aid reductions by Western countries.

The takeaway

The Mass for Solidarity demonstrated the deep bonds of faith and shared mission between the Catholic Church in Africa and the United States, underscoring the importance of the global Church standing together to address poverty, conflict, and threats to human dignity around the world.