Regional Episcopal Conference of Francophone West Africa


The Regional Episcopal Conference of Francophone West Africa is an agency of the Catholic Church which includes the bishops of Western Africa.

History

The CERAO was created in 1963. Its first meeting was held in Anyama, near Abidjan in Ivory Coast, between 11 and 14 June. A second meeting was held the following year in Dakar, Senegal, from 3 to 6 June. It was created to facilitate the coordination of all activities involving the Catholic churches of the member countries and promote, as far as possible, a common pastoral plan. Its headquarters is in Abidjan, and statutes were approved during the meeting in Lomé, Togo, in February 1985.

Organization

The CERAO consists of four main bodies: the Plenary Assembly, the Permanent Council, the General Secretariat, the Council of Presidents. The general assembly, which is the organ that takes all major decisions, meets every three years, otherwise the permanent council meets annually except in years that the general assembly meets. To better serve its objectives, the CERAO it has 13 committees and two secretariats. The committees are:
The group's president, Cardinal CERAO of Dakar, Théodore-Adrien Sarr, has held that office since 2003.

Members of CERAO

Part of CERAO Episcopal bishops of the following conferences: