Vatican City—In a move that underscores the growing importance of the African Church in the global mission of interreligious understanding, Pope Leo XIV has appointed three distinguished African experts—two priests and one religious sister—as consultors to the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. The appointments, made public by the Holy See Press Office on January 19, 2026, bring vital, on-the-ground experience from a continent where interfaith relations are a daily reality.
The new consultors are Father André Kabasele Mukenge of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Father Isaac Zachariah Mutelo, O.P., of Zimbabwe, and Sister Anne Béatrice Faye, C.I.C., of Senegal. Their expertise will now help guide the Vatican body responsible for promoting and supervising relations with members and groups of non-Christian religions.
Theologians of the African Context
The three appointees are recognized not only for their deep theological knowledge but also for their practical engagement with the complexities of the African religious landscape.
Father André Kabasele Mukenge, a priest of the Archdiocese of Kananga (DRC), serves as the Director of the Centre for the Study of African Religions at the Catholic University of the Congo in Kinshasa. A scholar with a doctorate in Theology from the Université Catholique de Louvain, Fr. Kabasele is a leading voice in African theology and biblical exegesis, with a focus on integrating the Christian message within African cultural contexts. His appointment highlights the Vatican’s desire to incorporate African theological insights into its global dialogue strategy.
Father Isaac Zachariah Mutelo, O.P., a Dominican from Zambia, is a Senior Lecturer at Arrupe Jesuit University in Harare, Zimbabwe. His academic background is remarkably broad, encompassing a Ph.D. in Philosophy with a specialization in religion and politics, as well as qualifications in human rights and environmental law. Fr. Mutelo’s research interests include Muslim-Christian relations and the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence, making him a crucial asset for the Dicastery as it navigates contemporary issues.
A Synodal Voice for Women and Dialogue
The appointment of Sister Anne Béatrice Faye, C.I.C., a Senegalese religious sister, is particularly significant. A member of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Castres, Sr. Faye is a professor of philosophy and a prominent figure in the Church’s synodal process.
Sr. Faye has been deeply engaged in questions concerning the promotion of women in Africa and has actively participated in scholarly and theological networks across the continent. Her involvement as an expert in the global Synod on Synodality and her work in launching the “École de Synodalité” (School of Synodality) in Dakar demonstrate her commitment to a Church of listening and shared discernment. Her presence on the Dicastery is a powerful recognition of the vital role of women religious and lay experts in the Church’s diplomatic and theological work.
Continuity in African Representation
These appointments continue a trend of increased African representation in the Dicastery. Just months prior, Pope Leo XIV had appointed three African Bishops as members of the same Dicastery: Bishop Willybard Kitogho Lagho of Malindi, Kenya; Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka of Mthatha, South Africa; and Bishop Ollo Modeste Kambou of Gaoua, Burkina Faso.
The inclusion of these African voices—both clergy and religious—ensures that the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue will be informed by the lived experience of a continent where the Church is growing rapidly and where peaceful coexistence with other faiths is a constant, necessary endeavor.
A Spiritual Resolution: Praying for the Fruits of Dialogue
The work of interreligious dialogue is a spiritual mission rooted in the love of neighbor and the search for truth. As the Church in Africa takes on this greater responsibility, the faithful are called to support this mission through prayer and personal witness:
- The Holy Rosary: To pray the Rosary for the consultors and for the success of their mission, asking for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Church, that she may guide all efforts toward peace and understanding.
- The Sacrament of Confession: To approach the Sacrament of Confession frequently, ensuring that our own hearts are free from prejudice and pride, which are the first obstacles to true dialogue.
- Eucharistic Adoration: To spend time in Eucharistic Adoration, praying for the gift of the Holy Spirit to enlighten the minds and hearts of all those engaged in interreligious dialogue, that they may be instruments of Christ’s peace.
- Sacred Scripture: To reflect on Sacred Scripture, particularly the teachings of Christ on love for all people, and to live out the Gospel message as a credible witness to the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith.
