The Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) recently conducted its Annual European Liaison Committee (ELC) meeting in Rome, Italy. The ELC is a platform that brings together PROCMURA and its partners from Europe to, among other things, reflect on PROCMURA’s work and strengthen the partnerships between PROCMURA and the different partner organisations.

The European Liaison Committee meeting serves as a crucial platform for PROCMURA and its European partners to assess progress, discuss emerging challenges, and explore new opportunities for collaboration and partnerships. Apart from reflecting on PROCMURA’s work in 2024, this year’s edition of the meeting in Rome, hosted by the Methodist Church in Britain and Italy, provided a unique opportunity for PROCMURA to present the new Strategic Areas of Focus as captured in the new Strategic Plan 2025 – 2029.

While welcoming delegates, the current Moderator of the ELC, Rev. Dr. Andrew Ashdown, thanked PROCMURA for its great dedication to its work across the continent and reaffirmed the partner's commitment to supporting the great calling of PROCMURA.

Throughout the meeting, the PROCMURA Leadership - the Chairperson Rev. Robert Goyek, the General Adviser Bishop Dr. Nathan Samwini and Team Leader – Finance and Administration Ms. Joy Wandabwa, and representatives from various European partner organisations, churches, and development agencies engaged in insightful discussions on how best to support PROCMURA’s work of empowering the Church in Africa on matters of Islam and Christian-Muslim relations for effective witness of the Gospel in a religiously pluralistic environment and promoting constructive Christian-Muslim relations for sustainable peace and development in Africa.

The outgoing Moderator of ELC, Rev. Dr. Almut Nothnagle commended PROCMURA for the journey the organisation has travelled for years in building peaceful and cohesive communities in Africa, especially between the Christian and Muslim communities. She also commended the longstanding partnership that has been between PROCMURA and The European partners, noting how effective and impactful it has been in supporting PROCMURA’s causes and initiatives at the grassroots in all the four regions that the organisation operates in – Francophone and Anglophone West Africa, Central Africa and East and Southern Africa.

In his opening address, the PROCMURA Chairperson Rev. Goyek highlighted PROCMURA’s ongoing efforts to train church leaders on ICMR, which aims to empower the Christian community to engage with their Muslim brothers and sisters while remaining rooted in Christian witness.

Additionally, the General Adviser of PROCMURA, Bishop Dr. Samwini underscored the important role that the PROCMURA partners, including those from Europe, have played in supporting the Vision and Mission of PROCMURA for more than six decades through resource mobilisation, capacity-building programs, and joint advocacy initiatives.

The discussions that followed reinforced the necessity of continuous collaboration and partnership to ensure sustainable interfaith peace and development in Africa.

Present at the ELC meeting were senior representatives from the Methodist Church in Britain, Church of Scotland, Evangelische Mission Weltweit/The Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Germany (EMW), University of Birmingham, Church of England, Kerk in Actie/Protestant Church in the Netherlands, Mission Eine Welt (Germany), Mission Afrika (Denmark), Stefanus Alliance International (Norway), Evangelical Lutheran Church in Finland, Mission 21 Basel and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wuerttemberg.

Away from the official ELC meetings, the key highlight of PROCMURA’s visit to Rome was the Papal audience granted by His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican. This historic meeting underscored PROCMURA’s commitment to and alignment with global efforts to promote religious cooperation, tolerance and peace. PROCMURA was granted the Papal audience, given the organisation’s work and dedication to promoting constructive Christian-Muslim relations and the peaceful coexistence of people from various religious backgrounds across the continent, which resonates with Pope Francis’ call for peace.

Pope Francis recognised PROCMURA’s extensive work in Africa, which he appreciated and commended as an integral part of the Mission of the Church. He further called on PROCMURA and its partners to carry on the good work of promoting peace in Africa. During the visit, the delegation led by the General Adviser Bishop DR. Samwini attended a mass at the Vatican.

In addition to the Vatican visit, PROCMURA also engaged with other key stakeholders in Rome and ecumenical organisations, theological institutions, and development agencies, including the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy, the Anglican Centre in Rome, and Opera Per Le Chiese Evangeliche Metodiste in Italia (OPCEMI), among others. These interactions provided an avenue for deepening partnerships and exploring possible areas of partnerships with other stakeholders.

The European Liaison Committee meeting concluded with renewed commitments from European partners to continue supporting PROCMURA’s initiatives, especially now that the organisation is embarking on a journey guided by the new Strategic Plan 2025 - 2029. Key outcomes included expanding training programs for church leaders on interfaith engagement and enhanced advocacy for policies that promote peace and religious freedom.

As PROCMURA continues its mission of empowering the Church for effective Christian witness in a multi-religious context, the strengthened partnerships with European stakeholders remain instrumental in achieving sustainable peace and development and religious freedom in Africa. PROCMURA looks forward to building on these collaborations and partnerships, new and old, to further its impact across the continent.