Building a Culture of Dialogue: Centre of Inculturation Equips Priests and Lay Leaders in Professional Mediation for Peacebuilding

Mariapolis Piero, Kenya, 29TH July to 2nd August 2026

In a world where conflicts and wars increasingly affect families, communities, workplaces, schools, and even ecclesial settings, the search for peaceful and constructive ways to resolve disputes has become more urgent than ever (cf. Karram M., Presentation on "Closeness" lived through the first three aspects of the Spirituality of Unity: communion, bearing witness, and prayer (union with God) at the General Assembly of the Focolare Movement in Castel Gandolfo, 4th March 2026). It is within this context that the Centre of Inculturation for the Focolare Movement in Africa, in collaboration with Amani Communities Africa, hosted the 40-Hour Professional Mediation Certificate Course (Cohort II) from 29 July to 2 August 2026 at Mariapolis Piero, Kenya.

The transformative five-day programme brought together 14 participants from four African countries: Cameroon (7), Kenya (5), Rwanda (1), and Nigeria (1). The cohort reflected a rich diversity of vocations and professions, including six Catholic priests, two psychologists, two educators, a paramedic, a Risk, AML and Fraud Consultant, a theologian of the Focolare Movement, and a professional working with New Humanity NGO. Together, they formed a unique learning community united by a common desire to become instruments of dialogue, reconciliation, and peace.

More than a professional training programme, the course represents an important step in the Centre of Inculturation's contribution to the Church's mission of promoting peace, justice, reconciliation, and integral human development while advancing the spirit of synodality. Rooted in its vision of fostering a world where every person and culture is valued, the Centre continues to explore practical ways of enabling the Church and society to respond creatively to conflict and division.

A Response to a Need Identified by the Church

The mediation course did not emerge in isolation. Its roots can be traced to the 2025 programme,  Synodal Peacebuilding Empowering Course for Parish Priests in Africa. During that formation, participants repeatedly highlighted a significant challenge: while Church leaders, pastoral agents, and community leaders frequently encounter conflict, many lack access to structured dispute resolution mechanisms and professional mediation skills.

Out of those reflections emerged a visionary proposal: the creation of Synodal Dispute Resolution Centres within ecclesiastical circumscriptions capable of supporting dialogue, mediation, reconciliation, and restorative approaches to justice.

Recognising both the growing need and the opportunity to respond, the Centre of Inculturation began developing a phased approach to establishing Synodal Dispute Resolution Centres.

The first step is to prepare well-trained people who can facilitate dialogue, manage conflicts, and accompany individuals and communities towards reconciliation. For this reason, the 40 Hour Professional Mediation Certificate Course is an important foundation for the wider initiative.

The first training focused on seminarians, as highlighted in the article, “Formation of Seminarians as Mediators Marks a Milestone for Focolare Movement within the Church in Africa.” The current training expands this initiative by bringing together priests, educators, psychologists, development practitioners, and other professionals.

These trainings are concrete steps towards the broader vision of establishing Synodal Dispute Resolution Centres within the parishes. Such would provide trained clergy and lay professionals who can accompany individuals, families, communities, and institutions through dialogue, mediation, reconciliation, and restorative justice.

In this way, the Centre of Inculturation is gradually building a network of people equipped to promote a culture of dialogue, peace, and reconciliation within the Church and African society.

Building a Culture of Encounter

The diversity of the participants itself became a living experience of synodality. Priests sat alongside educators, psychologists exchanged perspectives with development practitioners from different countries, and shared experiences of conflict and peacebuilding from their own contexts.

Throughout the week, participants were introduced to key mediation competencies including active listening, conflict analysis, negotiation, emotional intelligence, ethical practice, and facilitation of dialogue. Through role plays, simulations, case studies, and practical exercises, they discovered that mediation is not simply a technique but a way of accompanying people towards mutual understanding.

The need for such formation was evident from the course evaluation. Before the programme began, half of the participants had never received formal training in dispute resolution mechanisms. At the same time, more than 70 per cent reported dealing with conflict weekly or daily in their professional or pastoral responsibilities.

African Wisdom Meets Professional Practice

One of the most enriching features of the training was the integration of African cultural wisdom into the study of mediation.

During one discussion, a participant reflected: "The person inside the burning house cannot extinguish the fire." 

The proverb sparked reflection on the mediator's role as a neutral third party who helps people caught in conflict see beyond their immediate emotions and discover possible paths to resolution.

Participants also drew inspiration from a well-known Maasai proverb: "A word spoken at the right moment is like a ripe fruit; it satisfies."

The saying became a reminder that peace is often built through timely words, attentive listening, and respectful dialogue. Another memorable phrase of the week came from a participant who encouraged fellow mediators with the simple but powerful message: "Check yourself before you wreck the process." The statement quickly became a motto for the cohort, highlighting the importance of self-awareness, impartiality, and personal discipline in mediation.

Interestingly, the course evaluation later revealed that participants highly valued the integration of faith, culture, and professional practice. One participant described the programme as a powerful merging of "Spirituality, African-ness and Professionalism."

From Learning to Action

The impact of the programme was reflected in the evaluation results. All participants indicated that the training met their expectations, was professionally relevant, and equipped them with skills they intend to apply in their daily ministries and workplaces. Every participant expressed readiness to recommend the training to others and a commitment to putting the skills into practice.

Towards Synodal Dispute Resolution Centres

As the Church continues its synodal journey, the experience of Cohort II points beyond a single training programme toward a broader vision. In this light, mediation is not merely a conflict management tool, but a practical expression of synodality itself: listening deeply, walking together, discerning collaboratively, and seeking communion even amid differences.

The long-term vision is to contribute to the establishment of Synodal Dispute Resolution Centres that can serve dioceses, parishes, Catholic institutions, families, and local communities. Such centres would provide spaces where conflicts are approached not through confrontation and exclusion but through encounter, dialogue, healing, and reconciliation.

In this sense, the mediation course represents much more than professional formation. It is an investment in people who can become bridge-builders, peacemakers, and facilitators of communion. It is a small but significant contribution to the Church's wider mission of fostering human dignity, social harmony, and integral human development across Africa.

As the fourteen participants return to their respective countries, professions, and ministries, they carry with them more than a certificate. They share a conviction that lasting peace begins when people are willing to listen, understand, and journey together towards reconciliation. In that spirit, the journey from conflict to communion continues.

Mariapolis Piero,

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