The 17th plenary meeting of the Symposium of African and Madagascan Bishops Conferences (Secam), a church organisation that brings together all the bishops of the continent, has started in Luanda, Angola. “Family life in Africa yesterday, today and tomorrow: in the light of the Gospel” is the key topic of the discussions that about 150 cardinals and bishops will be taking part in. The calendar, posted by the secretariat of Secam, also includes three workshops about the influence of the media and the new ideologies on family life in Africa today, the African perspective on family life, and pastoral challenges, with a case study from Cape Verde. Cardinal Philippe Ouedragou from Burkina Faso will give a speech about “making Secam a stronger and more committed God’s family in our continent”. The general meeting started yesterday, Tuesday 19th July, with a solemn Eucharistic celebration and the speech of the deputy president of the Republic, Manuel Vicente. The meeting will end on 25th July with the adoption of a number of resolutions and recommendations, as well as a final message. Secam held its latest meeting in Congo in 2013, about reconciliation. The president of Secam is the Angolan archbishop of Lubango, mgr. Gabriel Mbilingi; deputy presidents are bishop Louis Portella Mbuyo (Kinkala, Congo-Brazzaville) and monsignor Gabriel Anokye (Kumasi, Ghana).