Theological symposium in Africa tackles freedom of belief and persecution

Theological symposium in Africa tackles freedom of belief and persecution

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Thu, 10/15/2026 - 15:55

A four-day symposium on freedom of belief and persecution in Africa, ended in Nairobi on 8 October, with participants calling for a critical reflection, responsible action, and renewed commitment to tackle the rising challenge on the continent.

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Rev. Dr Fidon Mwombeki.

Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC

Over 100 church leaders, theologians, academicians, and victims of persecution attended the 5-8 October gathering organized by the All Africa Conference of Churches.

Rev. Dr Fidon Mwombeki, the conference ’ s general secretary, said that religious persecution was a major global challenge rooted in the friction between dominant and minority religious communities.

“ Many conflicts labeled ‘ religious persecution ’ are also rooted in economics, ethnicity, and resource competition,” he said, while cautioning that the phenomenon could not simply be addressed as physical violence, terrorism, and martyrdom alone.

The pastor from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania called for the backing of local advocacy…