Abidjan – August 8, 2025
Celebration of Hidden History
At the III PACTPAN Jubilee Congress of the Pan-African Theology, Society, and Pastoral Life in Abidjan, the quiet and unnoticed strength of African Catholic women of faith is finally stepping into the light. For decades, they have built communities, nurtured hope, and served the Church with devotion, often without recognition. Now, their stories are being told and sung.
Fr Rufino, leading a dedicated team from Uganda, is spearheading a publication—both in video and print—documenting the lives of these remarkable women. Despite resource constraints, the team is determined to make the work accessible to all. “These women have shaped history in ways that should inspire generations,” he said.
From Cameroon, Sr Solange Ngah reflected on how deeply moving the women’s biographies are. “These stories show us the power of faith lived out in action. They highlight the best of what we can be and offer a blueprint for a constructive and compassionate Church,” she observed.
In Kenya, Mr Ambrose Kilonzo and his team have gone into villages and homes, speaking with the families of women who served the Church with tireless humility. “Greatness”, he says, “does not always wear a crown. These women have been the unseen pillars of our faith communities.”
From Nigeria, Mrs Yetunde Akereke echoed that sentiment with conviction. “Women are the foundation of society. “They give, they sacrifice, they build,” she said. Many of them, she added, have done extraordinary things without ever being celebrated. To honour them, her team has published both a book and a documentary—now available on the PACTPAN YouTube channel—under the theme One Song, One Sacrifice.
In a world that often overlooks the quiet work of women in faith, the Jubilee’s recognition is more than symbolic—it is a reclaiming of history, ensuring their light will not be hidden again.
