As the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) commemorates its fortieth anniversary, the organization’s leaders emphasize its remarkable journey of adaptation and resilience since its inception. Current executive director Steven Nabieu Rogers underlines the importance of AFJN’s ability to evolve and thrive over the years.
Founded in 1983, AFJN was initially driven by the concerns of white missionaries (including Comboni Missionaries) who had served in Africa and sought to convey their insights to Washington, D.C.’s decision-makers. Today, the organization’s leadership is African-led, with a revised mission that places significant emphasis on empowering Africans to engage in advocacy within their communities, complementing their established lobbying efforts in the nation’s capital.
A pivotal moment in AFJN’s history occurred in 2012 under the leadership of Dominican Fr. Aniedi Okure, who served as executive director from 2011 to 2020. Fr. Okure proposed a significant shift in the organization’s approach, advocating for a strategy that would train Africans in advocacy, enabling them to hold their governments accountable. The board embraced this innovative direction, recognizing the potential for enhanced effectiveness and locally driven change.
Sr. Bernadette Eyewan Okure, of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, coordinates AFJN in Nigeria. She shared with NCR the impact of the organization’s grassroots advocacy. “They were shocked to see sisters, religious women from so many congregations collaborating, protesting,” she said. “From there, we began to . . . emphasize advocacy more than charity. Charity is good,” she said, “but we have to change rules and policies.”
“We wouldn’t say we are going to help them, but that we are helping each other. If we help a community to become better, to relate better, to protect the rights of their children, then that affects us,” Sr. Bernadette said. “In our coalition, in our collaboration, we are helping the work of God, the kingdom of God to grow, to expand.”
AFJN’s ongoing commitment to adaptability and the empowerment of African voices demonstrates its enduring relevance and impact, ensuring a bright future for this influential Catholic pan-African advocacy network.
