Hekima University College officially opened its 2024/25 academic year with an inspiring opening ceremony on 16 August 2024.

Themed “HUC at 41 Forward and Upward: A Bold Vision Filled with Hope”, the event marked a significant milestone for the institution, which welcomed a prominent guest of honor, His Eminence Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, Prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Archbishop emeritus of Cape Coast (Ghana).

The day began with an opening prayer led by Fr. Emmanuel Foro, SJ, Rector of Hekima Jesuit Community. Mrs. Margaret Muhoro, Chairperson of the HUC Council, addressed the students, emphasizing the importance of diligence and seizing opportunities in their studies. “Excellence is not an accident,” she reminded the attendees.

The highlight of the event came with Cardinal Turkson’s address, where he captivated students, faculty, and staff with his reflections on the theme “Rethinking Power Dynamics in the Church and Socio-Political Situations”. Drawing from Vatican II, Ecclesia in Africa, and the ongoing Synod on Synodality, Cardinal Turkson explored how power is exercised within and outside the Church, focusing on issues such as clericalism, child abuse, economic power, and patriarchal structures.

Vatican II and the Renewal of the Church

Cardinal Turkson began by revisiting the significance of Vatican II, the 21st Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church, which sought to update the Church’s practices to better engage with the modern world. The council, convened by Pope John XXIII and continued under Pope Paul VI, embraced the concept of “Aggiornamento”, or renewal, opening the Church to deeper dialogue with society while revitalizing its mission. Cardinal Turkson highlighted how Vatican II’s power was not autocratic but sacramental and synodal, with all Council Fathers contributing to decisions that embraced communion, participation, and openness.

Ecclesia in Africa: A Call for Unity and Reconciliation

Shifting his focus to Africa, Cardinal Turkson reflected on Ecclesia in Africa, an Apostolic Exhortation by Pope John Paul II that emphasized the Church’s mission of evangelization across the continent. The document, born from the 1994 African Synod, called for unity within the Church and the importance of recognizing the Church as the "Family of God." However, Cardinal Turkson lamented the tragic timing of the synod’s conclusion, which coincided with the Rwandan genocide. He noted that Africa continues to grapple with tribalism, bad governance, and ethnic violence, all of which are rooted in power abuses.

Cardinal Turkson urged the African Church to rediscover its identity and work towards reconciliation, justice, and peace. The Church in Africa, he said, must rise as a "living community" where love, support, and mutual responsibility thrive across cultural and ethnic divides.

The Synod on Synodality: Journeying Together in Faith

Cardinal Turkson concluded by addressing the Synod on Synodality, a process initiated by Pope Francis to encourage greater participation, dialogue, and communion within the Church. He stressed the importance of journeying together, highlighting how the synodal process can help the Church fulfill its mission in a rapidly changing world.

Hekima University College, as a center for Theology and Peace Studies, embraces this challenge. With a commitment to building dreams and transforming hearts, the college stands ready to contribute to a Church that fosters unity, celebrates diversity, and promotes peace.

As the ceremony drew to a close, the community gathered in prayer, offering thanks for the new academic year, new students, and the opportunities ahead. Cardinal Turkson’s message of hope and empowerment set the tone for the year, encouraging students and staff alike to move "forward and upward" with confidence, collaboration, and a shared vision for excellence.

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