The Cardijn Community International in Ivory Coast held its inaugural General Assembly in Abidjan on Sunday 12 October 2025.
The theme chosen for the assembly was “The role of committed Catholic lay people in the consolidation and promotion of a synodal Church.”
“Synodality means ‘walking together,” noted Dr Innocent Gamsore, who delivered the opening address. “It expresses the identity of the Church as the People of God on mission, listening to the Holy Spirit.”
“Pope Francis relaunched this vision of a Church founded on communion, participation, and mission, where each baptised person acts with co-responsibility. It calls for a conversion of heart, a pastoral style based on dialogue and service, and recognition of the active role of the laity,” he explained.
“Catholic Action, faithful to the See – Judge – Act method, trains spiritually and socially committed Christians to transform society according to the Gospel: lived faith, justice, ecology, culture, and solidarity,” Lazare Kabran added.
“The Cardjin International Community (CCI) embodies this spirit: a global network of reflection and action, combining intelligence, faith, and concrete commitment to build a just, fraternal, and sustainable society, serving the common good and human dignity,” he pointed out.
The General Assembly concluded by formulating a series of strategic recommendations aimed at consolidating the structure, training, and outreach of the Cardijn International Community – Côte d’Ivoire Section.
These recommendations were structured around three priority areas: governance, training, and monitoring and evaluation.
- Governance and Structure
- Establish a permanent national secretariat, responsible for monitoring General Assembly resolutions, coordinating activities, institutional communication, and maintaining a functional link with the ICC’s international coordination.
- Develop a 2025–2027 strategic plan, clearly defining the directions, priorities for action, and expected results, consistent with the ICC’s global priorities and the local realities of the Church in Côte d’Ivoire.
- Strengthen the movement’s administrative and financial transparency through the production of periodic reports (technical, moral, and financial) and the establishment of internal accountability and monitoring mechanisms.
- Lay Training and Engagement
- Organize regional training programs dedicated to the See – Judge – Act method, the social doctrine of the Church, and participatory governance, in order to deepen members’ spiritual and civic skills.
- Develop innovative educational tools, including manuals, brochures, and digital modules (online platform, webinars), for young people, community leaders, and diocesan facilitators.
- Create a national network of Cardijnian trainers, responsible for supporting dioceses in training, spiritual guidance, and the implementation of action projects inspired by Cardijnian pedagogy. 3. Monitoring and Evaluation
- Establish an annual monitoring committee to measure progress in implementing the commitments and resolutions from the General Assembly.
- Schedule a mid-term meeting in 2026 to assess the implementation of the 2025–2027 strategic plan, adjust its direction, and strengthen the consistency of its actions.
- Document and capitalize on best practices from local and regional branches to promote mutual learning, raise the visibility of the movement, and disseminate successful experiences.
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