AMECEA NEWS

Williams Mponda

The Catholic Development Commission in Malawi CADECOM which is the developmental arm of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to Mtengowanthenga and Madisi Mission Hospitals to fight Covid-19 pandemic.

During the handover ceremony, the National CADECOM Coordinator Mr Chimwemwe Phiri said that frontline heath workers need to be provided with PPEs because they are at high risk of contracting the virus.

“The donation is coming with the background that we are now in a global crisis. This pandemic has hit many countries including Malawi, and so we decided to assist our Catholic health centres with these items,” he said.

Meanwhile, the person in charge of Mtengowanthenga Mission Hospital Sr. Dr. Eva Kangaude expressed gratitude saying that the donation has increased hope and confidence of health workers in their line of duty.

“I was very happy when I heard that CADECOM is coming here to donate Personal Protective equipment. With these, we have gotten the courage to work without fear of contacting the virus,” she said.

Rev. Fr Henry Zulu who is Director of Social Development in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe also commended the Australian government for the support.

The Australian government through Caritas Australia supported CADECOM in purchasing the PPE’s valued at 10,933 United States dollars (8.2 million Malawi Kwacha).

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Sr Kazembe carrying out demonstration
during COVID-19 awareness creation

As Covid-19 pandemic continues to threaten people’s lives, Religious women in Zambia through Zambia Association of Sisterhoods (ZAS), are in the forefront sensitizing people about Coronavirus and ways to prevent its spread in the country.

“ZAS through the SCORE-ECD (Strengthening the Capacity of Religious women in Early Childhood Development) project, went around the sites where the Sisters are implementing activities to sensitize people about the virus,” the association’s Secretary General Sr. Elizabeth Muleya, told AMECEA online, Thursday, June 4.

SCORE-ECD is a project coordinated by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) with support from Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to promote holistic development of children.

According to Sr. Muleya, “The SCORE ECD Project Manager sourced funding through the Dominican Sisters to help fight COVID-19 and prevent transmission among pregnant and lactating mothers.”

The activities which have been conducted on 6 sites during the month of May, aimed at distributing sensitization materials to all the SCORE ECD sites, observing the activities the nuns are conducting in the community, and to appreciate the challenges being experienced during the Covid-19 period.

“Our sole message was about COVID-19 sensitization, information sharing, and understanding what the community knows about the virus,” Sr Muleya herself a member of Good Shepherd Sisters said, adding that through interaction, they realized some people were ignorant about the deadly disease while others believed Coronavirus is not real.

Sr. Muleya disclosed that the funds received were used to purchase supplies like handwashing buckets, facemasks, gloves, printed materials for sensitization programs, and handwashing soaps which were distributed to all the SCORE-ECD sites managed by nuns from different congregations.

“We taught them how to make hand sanitizers, advised them to disinfect and keep surfaces clean and that they should not cough into their hands,” Sr. Muleya underscored some of the activities they carried out in the community.

“Above all, we advised them to stay at home and avoid visiting others unless there is an urgent matter that cannot wait. Once they go out, they should follow prevention Guidelines such as wearing of face masks, avoiding large crowds, shaking hands and always maintain at least one-meter distance with the next person,” she said.

According to Sr. Muleya, the greatest challenge the nuns faced during the exercise is the fact that most people cannot afford buying hand washing soap or sanitizer and facemasks. Besides, “Social distance is difficult for them to observe given how have people traditionally socialize in community.”

“After sensitization and awareness creation, people are now aware about the disease and they understand that COVID-19 is real and kills,” Sr Muleya told AMECEA Online, highlighting the outcome realized after the Religious women’s visits last month.

ZAS’s Secretary also said, “ZAS is still restructuring some of the project activities in order to design further interventions of COVID-19.”

As at Thursday, June 4, Zambia had recorded a total of 1,089 Coronavirus cases including 912 recoveries and 7 deaths.

Gideon Peter Ssebulime and Jjunju Francis

Bishop Serverus Jjumba
of Uganda's Masaka Diocese

On Wednesday June 3, 2020, Uganda has marked the 133rd year of Uganda Martyrs but in a low-profile following government restriction that bar mass gatherings to control the spread of Coronavirus that has so far so many 370,000 lives worldwide.

For the first time since 1920, the two sites of Uganda Martyrs, the Catholic and Anglican shrines at Namugongo, have seen a handful of attendants and pilgrims coming for the commemoration. This is unlike the other years when millions of pilgrims flock from different countries to shrines to pray through the intercession of the 45 martyrs who were killed under the orders of King Mwanga between 1885 and 1887 because of their faith.

The Archbishop of Kampala Most Rev. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, while leading the Mass for the June 3 at the Catholic Shrine Namugongo, congratulated Christians for bravery despite the challenge of not being able to celebrate Mass in churches for the last three months, saying that everyone in their family have stood firm in faith.

Archbishop Dr. Lwanga said like the Martyrs who exhibited love, faith and hope, they too have been killed for the God.

He urged all Ugandans to emulate the Martyrs despite the challenge of Covid-19 saying, “Let there be no anger, selfishness, despair or the spirit of survival of the fittest but a united Catholic Church.

He has also asked government to plan for the after-effects of Covid-19 as many people lack food and other basic necessities since many people are not doing any work to earn anything for the livelihood of their families.

Archbishop of Church of Uganda Dr. Steven Kazimba Mugalu who led a service from the Anglican Martyrs site also encouraged Christians to pray to God to save Uganda and the world from the Coronavirus pandemic.

He too urges government not to forget the frontline health workers, teachers and the most vulnerable.

On his part, President Yoweri Museveni sent a special message to congratulate all Christians on the occasion, saying that they too are like the martyrs who exercised heroic virtues of faith by accepting death yet they stood.

He said the Uganda martyrs are seeds that fell on good soil in the Parable of the Sower; that their example of fortitude and endurance has helped to plant the kingdom of God in Uganda and around the globe.

He urged the Christians in Uganda to allow the spirit of sacrifice and total surrender to God to inspire them in their day to day undertakings.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Masaka Diocese Rt. Rev. Serverus Jjumba who was supposed to preside over the Uganda Martyrs national commemoration at Namugongo has celebrated the festivity with the entire church in his diocese from his cathedral, Kitovu.

Bishop Jjumba took the opportunity to acknowledge the suffering many are undergoing due to the lockdown in the country and emphasized the need for Christian love for every person despite any differences.

He said that as all person are equal before God, there should be equity and equality.

“Let Ugandans strive for peace for all especially the children, youth and mothers who have been so vulnerable during the lockdown due to COVID-19,” he said.

He further said that brutal attacks on mothers and children by spouses and parents leaves a lot of pain, hence calling for repentance so that families may live their lives like the Holy family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus in Nazareth.

Encouraging the youth to be the light of the world, Bishop Jjumba has hailed all Christians for having persevered since the churches were closed in March due to Covid-19, urging all to remain in prayer from their homes until the time when the churches will be opened and, above all, to see the world getting a cure for COVID-19.

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Sr Hellen Bandhiho, ACWECA Secretary General.

The 18^th Plenary Assembly of Religious women in Africa that had been scheduled to take place in August in Nairobi, Kenya, has been postponed to next year as the nuns await a “face to face encounter” to hold the assembly following restrictions put in place by various governments to curb the spread of Coronavirus.

The Religious nuns under their regional body Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA), comprise of National Associations of Sisterhoods which is Conference of Women Religious Superiors General from English speaking countries of Eastern and Central Africa.

In an interview with AMECEA Online, ACWECA Secretary General Sr. Hellen Bandiho noted that the plans for the assembly were underway with committees in their advanced stage of preparations but all these have been “put on hold until a later date.”

“The Plenary Assembly was on top of the agenda for almost a year. We had already invited all stakeholders who were ready to attend the assembly. We had already booked the accommodation and a venue for the assembly,” Sr. Bandiho a member of the Congregation of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus disclosed adding that “because of the pandemic at hand, the Board had no choice but to postpone.”

Narrating further on other arrangements that were on going Sr. Bandiho said, “the ACWECA Management together with the host team from Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya had already met and committees were in advanced stages with preparations. A keynote speaker and other presenters had already been identified and they had already accepted to take part in the Plenary Assembly. Invitations had already been sent to member countries, collaborators and partners.”

Asked if ACWECA Plenary could be held using the virtual platforms, Sr. Bandiho said, “The Assembly is an opportunity to share ideas but also to meet physically. Over 250 delegates cannot be adequately accommodated via Webinar.” Besides, “there are some countries like Eritrea, Sudan and South Sudan where connectivity is a challenge (and) we need all member countries to participate.”

“A one-on-one meeting will benefit all members without leaving some behind and it is during the Assembly when we elect new leadership. The presence of all delegates to choose their leaders during a face to face encounter makes more sense than a virtual election,” she added.

The assembly is to be convened in Kenya under the theme Re-Awakening the Prophetic Role: A call for Reformation Towards Holistic Transformation in ACWECA Region today. It will still be held at the same venue with the same theme but next year.

In a letter announcing the postponement, the President of ACWECA Sr. Cecilia Njeri, a member of the Little Sisters of St. Francis (LSOSF) congregation further said, “The current Chairperson and the Board Members will remain in place until we are able to conduct the Assembly in August 2021, God willing.”

ACWECA comprise of Religious nuns from 10 countries, namely Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe as an Associate Member.

The Secretary General asked the association members “to continue praying for the Assembly.”

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has appealed to various stakeholders for continued collaboration with the African continent during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, asking for debt relief among other pleas to help in economic recovery after recession.

“Judging from its devastating effects, it can be said without doubt that the consequences of the pandemic are tragic. On economic level, recession is evident due to the shutdown of activities especially in key production sectors, tourism, air transport and the hotel industry,” the African continental body of Catholic Bishops says in a statement signed by the President of SECAM Cardinal Phillipe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo.

“The social explosion is to be feared in many countries, and in particular, in Africa that is already burdened with debts and where unemployment continues to worsen,” the statement highlights and adds, “We would like to plead for the massive cancellation of debts of African countries, to enable them to revive their economies.”

Addressing the bilateral and multilateral groups in anticipation of the post-COVID-19 economic situation, SECAM appeals to stakeholders to “take a closer look at the case of Africa, which is currently facing the problem of lack of resources in the fight against the pandemic and those who, working in the informal sector, have had to suspend their activities due to lockdowns.”

In the statement released on Pentecost Sunday, May 31, the Bishops continental body requests the bilateral and multilateral organizations “for substantial aid to be given to the African countries to support the establishment of quality health systems; to promote the emergence of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) aimed at easing unemployment problem; and to support food security.”

The Bishops body further calls “on the business community and the pharmaceutical companies, both formal and informal, not to exploit the situation to make profit but join in the efforts to provide care for vulnerable people.”

According to the Church leaders, COVID-19 which is causing health crisis should be an eye opener for the continent to find ways of getting rid of “diseases like malaria and tuberculosis, which continue to plague the continent.

SECAM also appeals to the African Union “to sensitize member countries to contribute to the creation of a Solidarity Fund, which will be used to improve the health of the populations,” adding that African leaders should ensure “that the limited resources available are used to assist those who really need help, especially the poorest of the poor.”

“We exhort all the Church institutions directly involved in this fight to remain steadfast and to work with other non-Church institutions in the promotion of good heath for all people of Africa and Madagascar,” they added.

The Bishops body further appreciates government leaders in their effort to stem the spread of Coronavirus and also thanked the “health professionals and Religious nuns who have shown extraordinary dedication to alleviating the suffering of the sick.”

“In this time when many are in dire need, let us help them to experience the love of God. In the same vein, let us not stigmatize those who have recovered from COVID-19 disease but accept them warmly and make them feel happy to be back to their families or communities,” the Bishops’ statement concluded.

Andrew Kaufa, smm

As Kenya government authority consider reopening of activities after three months of lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic, AMECEA’s Pastoral Institute (API) has started registration of candidates for the September 2020 intake.

Commenting on the development, coordinator of AMECEA Gaba Publication and chief editor of African Ecclesial Review (AFER) Fr Dr Jordan Nyenyembe says, “We look forward to receive applications from the dioceses and Religious Congregations in all Conferences of the regional body, AMECEA, so as to boost the vitality of the institute.”

The institute closed its operation in the middle of March this year, following the outbreak of Covid-19, and in response to the executive order by President Uhuru Kenyatta to shut down all schools and colleges in the country.

AMECEA API, also known as Gaba Institute, is an oasis for academic, spiritual and pastoral renewal owned by the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) which comprises of 8 bishops Conferences in the region: Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan/ South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia, with Somali and Djibouti as its affiliate countries.

The API was established in 1968 at Gaba in Uganda but due to unfavourable political climate and insecurity during the reign of President Idi Amin, AMECEA moved the centre to Eldoret, Kenya, in 1976.

API offers a unique sabbatical program for pastoral agents in the region so that priests, nuns and catechists “renew themselves by undergoing an ongoing formation program in a context enriched by the Catholic University’s academic programs at Gaba Campus, hence providing the participants with a setting enriched by dialogue among priests, Religious men and women and lay persons

“This reflects the Church as family of God as described by the first African Synod in 1995,” reads a presentation of the institute by AMECEA Secretariat adding, “API is committed to training creative, prophetic and open-minded pastoral leaders and agents of evangelization.”

Fr Nyenyembe shared that currently, the API runs three programs, namely Diploma in Pastoral Ministry (for priests); Diploma in Evangelization and Catechesis (for Religious men and women); and a Spiritual Renewal Program for those on non-academic sabbatical rest.

“The API programs help participants to provide better pastoral responses to prevailing influences such as secularization, consumerism, devil worshipping, political unrest, socio-economic problems and family challenges,” continued Dr. Nyenyembe.

“They also help pastoral agents to make the Gospel relevant to the prevailing situations; to promote better administration of temporal goods, evangelization and self-reliance of the churches; to offer broader perspective on servant leadership,” he added.

For the 2019 and 2020 intakes, the institute received as participants, priests, Religious men and women as well as laity (catechists) from South Sudan, Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, Kenya and Zambia. However, in the previous year the institute also received participants from Namibia.

Luke Bisani

Managers Catholic University- Malawi

The Catholic University of Malawi Management this week, held a meeting to discuss schools’ reopening amid the novel Coronavirus that has hit the world, following a recommendation by Government’s Task Force under the Ministry of Education, Science Technology in the country that schools be opened on 13^th July 2020.

Management of the University has then outlined measures to be undertaken while students are on campus amid the Covid-19 concerns that forced them to send students home as a way of preventing the spread of the Virus.

Through the University’s Covid-19 Response Task Force, management is considering ways to maintain social distance at Campus and to enforce regular check-up of body temperature of students and Staff each day before commencement of classes.

The chairperson of the University’s Covid-19 Response Task Force, Susan Sundu, disclosed that the institute is to ensure cleanliness and disinfection of classes each day. Furthermore, management has considered establishing class committees that are to oversee that measures of preventing Covid-19 are adhered to among the students.

The University has also planned to have an Isolation facility to be used by students with signs and symptoms of Covid-19 while on campus. The students are also to have psychological counselling as a way of preventing stigma among students.

The University’s Vice-Chancellor Rev. Dr. George Buleya commended the Staff for getting on board with e-learning to fill the teaching gap when the University had to be closed.

He described the e-learning experience as a milestone achievement by the University as it has helped students to learn from home during the crisis of COVID-19.

In March this year, the President of the Republic of Malawi Prof. Peter Mutharika ordered closure of all schools as a way of preventing the spread of Covid-19. However, stakeholders have been calling for schools’ reopening, arguing that the country is at risk of productivity loss due to prolonged closure.

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Catholic priests in the Sub-Saharan Africa who benefited from the just concluded online engagements on ecological conversion convened by the Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa (CYNESA) are set to be agents of change in taking care of creation in various ways based on the knowledge acquired from the workshop.

“I realized that this group of leaders can do a lot through planting of trees, divesting from fossil fuel and using the pulpit to promote care for Mother Earth,” the Coordinator Promoting Integral Human Development (PIHD) at Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) Fr. Paul Igweta Mung’athia who participated in the online engagements told AMECEA online in an interview Thursday, June 11.

Fr. Mung’athia who has been conducting seminars and training coordinators in the AMECEA region on ‘care for our common home’ has disclosed more of his plans for the region saying, “I will encourage Conferences to engage in activities that are building the creation as new model of development and also challenge them to have a day of reflection on the joy of life that can be drawn from the Faith as a condition for development.”

The online engagements convened under the theme Laudato Si and biodiversity loss: African Catholic Clergy lead the way,” covered various topics including the significance and role of biodiversity to the African continent; scientific evidence about biodiversity within the framework of New Deal for Nature and People; ecological conversion and; engaging the Catholic faithful to reverse and halt further nature loss.

Fr. Mung’athia who is in the frontline on the issue which will be the main theme for reflection at the 2022 AMECEA Plenary Assembly said, “The theme was very well thought. We have even learnt that many birds and plants that were traditionally known in our continent have become extinct.”

On his part, Dr. Fr. Evarist Ankwasiize a member of the Congregation of Apostle of Jesus (AJ) who is patron of an environmental club in Kisubi University in Uganda told AMECEA Online,“I will be an agent of change. I will champion the planting of indigenous tree in my home parish as soon as rainy season starts and bring the topic to people’s consciousness in my preaching and apostolates.”

Fr. Evarist Ankwasiize who teaches environmental therapy at the university told AMECEA online the significance of the online engagements which helped him understand that “We are co-creators with God and we all depend on nature; and that all creation has rights which human beings need not violate and that manipulating the earth is an act of injustice to the earth itself and future generation of every specie.”

According to the Programs Manager of CYNESA Mr. David Munene, “Bishops have a critical role to play in shepherding their dioceses towards deliberate action on care for environment.”

He said that even the keynote speaker, Monsignor Bruno- Marie Duffe’ the Secretary of the Dicastery for promoting integral Human Development who is based in the Vatican reminded the priests to note that “to listen to the cry of the poor is to encounter and to be touched by the other while to listen to the cry of Mother Earth is to encounter biodiversity, ecosystems, and the littlest of beings.”

Mr. Munene told AMECEA online that“the Catholic clergy who participated in the sessions are expected to be the ambassadors to engage the public and inspire action to live Laudato Si' and Make the New Deal for Nature and People through small intentional actions” adding that “they are expected to engage political leaders whom they have greater access to more than anyone else.”

In conclusion, Mr. Munene disclosed that, “We shall continue to support the network of the Catholic clergy that was created out of this project and to facilitate dialogue with everyone living on this planet.”

Habtamu Abrdew Beture

His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus

His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus has issued a pastoral letter to the faithful and all people of good will on the current Covid-19 pandemic where, appreciating all efforts to fight the viral disease through scientific research to find medicine and vaccine to combat the diseases, he has stresses on keeping faith as key to overcoming despair.

“Health is in fact one of the crucial values for human beings. Giving priority to health is not luxury. In Ethiopian culture, wishing someone good health, Tena Yestelegn (May the Lord give you health on my behalf), is one way of greeting each other. Health is also the first thing people ask about when they meet. All other topics of conversation follow after they query about health. It is therefore not difficult to understand the big challenge we face in front of this current pandemic,” he says.

“We appreciate natural and social sciences. We recognize the race after medicine and vaccine to fight against viral diseases. All these endeavors are necessary. However, these efforts get more light if they are done with faith, hope and love. We need the light of faith in order to overcome unnecessary fear, disturbance, anxiety and despair. While resorting to maximum human effort, let us also rely on God’s grace. Let us lift up our eyes to God, the source of life, when human solutions seem to be so distant.”

Cardinal Berhaneyesus also adds that history “shows how numerous champions of faith, religious and lay, have sacrificed their life by serving the needy during pandemics” adding, “These witnesses of Christ have glorified God and human beings, created in His image and likeness. That is why today’s health workers and all assistants deserve our praise and recognition. Believing that the Lord blesses them for what they give, let us join them in their precious service through our prayers and actions.”

He insists that there is someone we often forget namely, Our Mother Earth, as he explains the pandemic in the context of the crisis of the environment we are currently facing.

“Mother Earth’s cry, together with the tears of the poor, reach the gates of heaven. To offend her is to offend her creator as it stands written, ‘Those who mock the poor insult their Maker (Pro 17:5 NRS).’ His Holiness Pope Francis says in Laudato Si no. 2.”

Therefore, Cardinal Berhaneyesus continues by inviting the faithful to actively take part in the Green Legacy project which the Ethiopian Government launched last year.

“Our beloved country Ethiopia is inviting us her children and people of good will to care for our common home by planting trees. As the rainy season starts soon, it is our duty and responsibility to respond to the invitation made by our Political leaders to plant trees and let us be part of the history of making Ethiopia green again.”

The letter further encourages the faithful to pray so that all may be guided by the light of the Holy Spirit to find a remedy to Covid-19.

“Let us ask for the light of the Holy Spirit. May the Spirit of God that hovered over the waters at the creation of the Universe eradicate this pandemic and allow us to sing the hymn of creation.”

Pascal Mwanache

Following the global outbreak of Coronavirus (Covid-19) the Catechetical Department of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) intends to launch Catechism education program through radio to enable children in homes and other people to continue learning.

This was stated in a joint meeting between TEC’s Catechetical Department and Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam’s where catechists who will be teachers in the provision of the faith education through radio participated.

“Despite the challenge, we believe that the program will be sustainable and will help children at home to continue learning about their faith. This will also help children who are living in families where parents fail to raise their children in their faith,” said Fr. Beno Kikudo, Coordinator for the Catechetical Department in Archdiocese of Dar es salaam.

Fr Kikudo added that the program will also solve the challenge of congestion of children in Catechism class, which makes it difficult for catechists to teach comfortably.

“This program will allow children to ask questions as far as they can and enable catechists to respond to children's curiosity. We will also set up an outreach program with a few children who have knowledge about the subject of the particular day. This will make it easier for children to pay attention especially when they hear their age mates participating in the sessions,” he added.

Announcing the launch of the program, TEC Catechetical Department Director Fr. Liston Lukoo said that the program will be launched on Monday, June 15, 2020 and will begin airing on Radio Maria Tanzania on Saturday June 20, 2020.

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Bishop Norman King’oo Wambua
of Machakos Diocese

As Covid-19 cases continue to spike and communities are beginning to experience new social challenges, Catholic Bishops have urged Kenyans not to lose hold of family and Christian values especially during this time when family members are spending most of the time together.

“We are aware of the challenges that have emerged due to Covid-19 pandemic. We note with great pastoral concern that emotions are running high, arguments are exploding frequently within our families,” Bishop Norman King’oo Wambua of Machakos Diocese said on behalf of the Kenya Conferences of Bishops (KCCB) on Trinity Sunday, June 7.

“Worries of access to food, money, rent and job security have characterized the lives of Kenyans, deepening the anxiety of what the future holds for us. These are bringing frustration and anger which results in forms of violence - gender-based violence and reckless behavior, different abuses, indifferences, separations, among others,” the bishops added.

“We urge all Kenyans not to take this pandemic not as an opportunity to deviate from family values but as a God-given moment to rethink and reflect on the meaning of family life and the values and fruits of marriage; to remember that love and forgiveness are the pillars of every family,” Bishop Norman King’oo Wambua who is also Chairman of KCCB’s Family Life National Office highlighted.

Speaking while presiding over a televised Mass at Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi, Bishop Wambua emphasized the significance of family in the society, echoing the Holy Father‘s words that the family is the basis of education.

“The family is considered as a basic unit of society, the original cell of social life whose stability constitutes the foundations of a society,” the Bishops noted and added, “Pope Francis emphasizes that it is in the family where values, faith and culture of the society are learned and practiced.”

He emphasized that the Kenyan bishops do acknowledge the different situations families are currently living in during the pandemic but are encouraging mutual love amidst the diverse circumstances as already cited in Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love) released in 2016.

“In Amoris Laetitia, we are told that crises form part of the life of every family. We are reminded that in the family life, we are to live the love of God in concrete terms; to grow in mutual love and all its characteristics as beautifully outlined by Saint Paul,” they added.

The Bishops in Kenya are encouraging healthy family life whose characteristics include good relationship with God and among each other, Promotion of unity, cooperation, constructive communication, empathy, forgiveness, mutual understanding, appreciation of one another and happy relationships.”

The Prelates warned the people about tribal clashes that have been experienced recently in Narok Country, leading to loss of lives, displacement of people and constantly living in fear. They have asked the government to call “for dialogue between the warring communities to settle their differences amicably in a bid to end the conflict.”

The bishops have further condemned “police brutality dispensed on innocent civilians during curfew enforcement, asking the law enforcers “to handle all situations in a humane way” and encouraging all Kenyans “to be law abiding citizens”.

“We reiterate our commitment to continue working with the State and non-State actors for the common good during these difficult times. We also continue encouraging Kenyans to pray and support the sick, the poor, the elderly, the vulnerable and persons with special needs within our society and to also abide by the directives issued by the Government so that together we can defeat the Covid-19 pandemic,” Bishop Wambua concluded.

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

HE Berhaneyesus Cardinal SouraphielThe President of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE).

The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE) Berhaneyesus Cardinal Souraphiel has encouraged Christians to rekindle love in families so as to “overcome the challenges of the pandemic.

Cardinal Souraphiel stated this in his pastoral letter signed on the eve of Pentecost Sunday, June 6, following the Ethiopian Calendar when the Catholic faithful commemorated the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.

He urged all Catholics to be concerned with the vulnerable especially children saying, “Our home is our space of security. It is there that we learned to love, to grow and to socialize. There is warmth in a house where love reigns. Children become well-developed in a house where charity rules. A house that welcomes love becomes beautiful. Prayers flow easily in such a house.”

“Let us hence spark the fire of love in order to overcome the challenges of the pandemic. For love is as strong as death (and) Love is even stronger than death because of the death and resurrection of Christ,” the Cardinal added.

Cardinal Berhaneyesus who is the president of the Ethiopian Catholic Bishops Conferences and the local Ordinary of Addis Ababa reminded Christians that unity in families is reinforced through love which is the basis of society and the Church.

“Families established on divine love are the foundation of the society and the Church,” reads the statement

In the statement, he also encouraged Christians to be charitable as he quoted Jesus who said, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.”

“In this connection, we may recall those who eat from hand to mouth. It would be wrong to say, “Let the fittest survive” and let us abandon the weak. That would be to harm ourselves and our society,” he added.

in the same pastoral letter, Cardinal Souraphiel addressed the importance of being stewards of creation. Referencing Pope Francis’ 2015 Encyclical Letter “Laudato Si”.

He appreciated what other nations are doing towards care of creation saying, “In some countries, mother earth enjoys good attention. Trees are planted in her honour at anniversaries, weddings, graduations or any other feasts. People plant as many trees as the number of the years of anniversaries. By doing this, they alleviate the earth’s suffering. They counter the damage caused by human greed and irresponsible exploitation.”

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Most Rev. Anthony Muheria
of the Archdiocese of Nyeri

Most Rev. Anthony Muheria of the Archdiocese of Nyeri has told those working in the judicial system of the country to be independent in their profession and act in a way that their decisions promote justice and defend unity in the country.

The Archbishop’s message comes days after Kenya’s Judiciary accused the President for failing to approve the appointment of new judges whose names had been forwarded to the executive office mid-last year, causing challenges for the work in the courts.

“We ask you to keep away from political machination because that compromises justice,” Archbishop Muheria said via social media Tuesday, June 9.

“Remember the poor, remember the helpless, remember those who are voiceless as you mete out justice. Be godly so that the nobility of your profession may shine forth,” the Archbishop appealed to members of the judiciary reminding them that they are there to safeguard the nation’s harmony and unity.

Most Rev. Muheria also acknowledges that the judiciary is currently faced with challenges in settling disputes

“We know the difficulties that this Coronavirus, the lockdown and restrictions have caused to those processes which are meant to bring justice to the Kenyans and to the persons whose justice may in one way or the other have been infringed.”

Despite the challenges, he appeals to those involved in the justice system, “… our judges, our magistrates, our lawyers and all those who in one way or another fight in the civil right, human rights and others, to have at heart the rights of the human person,” he underscored.

Amidst the conflict between the two arms of government, Archbishop Muheria has reminded the judiciary of their role in bringing harmony in the country saying, “you are the last gate for justice to be given to those who need it.”

“Therefore, as you go about your work in the system, we urge you to keep that tenet of knowing that you are somehow God’s hand in making sure that human beings are held in the full dignity wherever they may be,” the Church leader stated.

“Live up to this divine call. We pray for you and hope that you leave up to your calling,” he concluded.

The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has rejected Bill no. 10 of 2019, saying the process that was undertaken lacked genuine consensus and have called on Members of Parliament to withdraw the piece of legislation immediately.

In a statement dated June 9, 2020 and signed by ZCCB president Rt. Rev. George Lungu, the Catholic bishops said the Church firmly believes that any legitimate process of making, reviewing and amending the supreme law of the land ought to be premised on a process that is widely inclusive, transparent, accountable and anchored on consensus building rather than partisan interests.

Bill 10 seeks to review and amend the Constitution of Zambia as amended in 2016 so that it is fine-tuned. However, gathering from the reactions of some Zambians, there are a number of contentious issues about it which include a subtle way of increasing the executive power, paving way for coalition government where no political party achieves 50% plus one votes, the the parliament’s oversight role when it comes to government borrowing and national debt.

In this regard, the bishops who are joining other voices against the bill reiterate that the making of a people-driven Constitution that would stand the test of time calls for a spirit of dialogue and wider consultation with the stakeholders who are primarily the citizenry.

The Bishops added that [people-driven Constitution] dialogue involves a courteous discussion with a view to reaching or at least moving closer to a consensus. This requires stakeholders to be open, to be ready to listen and to share positions that will see a better future.

“Unfortunately, what we have observed with regard to Bill 10 is that the process that was undertaken lacked genuine consensus and has become a source of division in the country. Instead of bringing Zambians together for a common cause, it has further polarized them,” the statement reads.

“We hereby make our earnest appeal to the conscience of all Members of Parliament across the political divide to respect the will of the majority Zambians and immediately withdraw the said Bill 10 from the floor of the House,” the Bishops’ statement continues.

They further appealed to the people of Zambia not to lose hope. “We genuinely believe the words of our Lord Jesus Christ that those who hunger and thirst for justice will in the end be satisfied.”

Habtamu Abrdew Beture

Catholic Church held Ecumenical Virgil

The Ethiopian Catholic Church organized an ecumenical vigil for the Pentecost, June 6, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic School in Addis Ababa, where different faith communities gathered and prayed for God’s intervention to the Covid-19 pandemic.

On the occasion, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo, the Evangelical Church leaders and the Secretary General of the Ethiopian Bible Society presented.

Giving his opening remarks, His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus the Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop said ecumenical communion and prayers are needed as the country undergoes health and socio-political crises.

All Christian religious leaders present for the occasion thanked the Ethiopian Catholic Church for the invitation to take part on such a unifying event which is first of its kind in the country.

At the closing of the event, all the religious leaders lit candles together and sent into the air helium-filled balloons with signed messages aimed at reaching out to various people in distant parts of the country.

The event which was organized by the Pastoral Office of the Archdiocesan Secretariat in collaboration with the Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat and the Ethiopian Bible Society was televised in the entire country by the Addis Media Network.

Janet Hinga

The Archdiocese of Nyeri has launched a Christian based counseling and support centre to provide psycho-social support to individuals and families facing difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

The Good Shepherd Call Centre which is a toll-free number that everyone can call or SMS to get support, was launched on Tuesday, April 9 by Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria.

In an interview with The Catholic Media Network, Archbishop Muheria noted that with Government adopting strict measures to counter the spread of COVID-19 including restriction of movement, stress levels among the people have heightened, leading to conflicts within families and affecting marriage as an institution.

“The centre will provide psychological counseling and encouragement, including marriage counseling to direct marital disagreements and other relationship matters and work towards a harmonious solution,” he said.

“It will also provide spiritual support and is intended for any person from any religion or part of the country, who finds himself or herself in a situation of mental stress,” the Archbishop added.

“We have deployed 30 counselors and priests who will be available 24hours to advise and ease the stress,” he said.

The centre is coordinated by Rev. Fr. Stephen Ndung’u, a certified counselor, and is supported by over 10 psychologists who have volunteered to follow up on cases that need specialized attention. Meanwhile, volunteer call centre attendants are undergoing a crash program on psychological counseling skills.

Archbishop Muheria said they have set a criterion for providing support which involves helping the clients to first identify their problem and engaging relevant Government agencies for further management where necessary.

“We connect with the police where necessary,” said Archbishop Muheria adding, “We have so far found that, when people seek advice and help before the situation escalates, we achieve more success. The team has also been engaged in community education through Radio Maria, which airs two weekly programs addressing mental health, and causes of stress.

Recently, the Catholic Bishops in Kenya have expressed concern over reports of increased violence in families and cautioned Kenyans that domestic violence and gender-based violence are not acceptable under any circumstance.

“Problems due to Covid-19 must not bring strife among us, but must be a cause to reason together. Let us make our families the last fortress against Covid-19. The Holy Family of Nazareth is always the model,” the Bishops urged in their statement released on 31st March 2020, titled “overcoming COVID-19 as Kenyans in bearing each other’s burdens.”

Echoing the words of the Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Muheria, who is Chairman of the Commission for Pastoral and Lay Apostolate, noted that domestic violence comes where communication breaks down. He urged spouses to practice good parenting since domestic violence also involves children and may be more difficult to identify.

“Violence does not resolve any problem but only serves to escalate it,” he said. “When it is not possible to talk to your spouse, seek help from those who can assist. Marriage is a project that is not easy in itself. People need help, both spiritual and human. And it is not enough to pray. Seek help from those who can help you resolve your misunderstandings or disagreement.”

Sarah Pelaji

Bishop Augustine Shao of Zanzibar
receiving infrared thermometer from TEC

Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), sanitizers, infrared thermometers and masks to some parishes in the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam and the Diocese of Zanzibar as the fight against Covid-19 pandemic continues.

On his part, receiving the equipment, Bishop Augustine Shao of Zanzibar Diocese thanked the Conference for providing the materials to his Diocese which is located in on one of the islands in the coast of Tanzania.

“This is how we implement what we say. Coronaexists and it kills. We really needed the preventive equipment,” he said adding, “Our people must wash hands every time with clean water and soap, use masks and sanitizers.”

He is also said he is impressed by the infrared thermometers which will be used in some dispensaries located in the rural parts of Zanzibar.

After receiving the equipment, Bishop Shao provided some to Fr. Doctor Mathias Ng'oja who supervises the Kitope Mission Dispensary.

He also availed some to Saint Camillus Hospital in Tomondo Zanzibar under the supervision of Sister Maria Theresia Shao.

Some of the equipment has also been donated to a counseling centre located in Chukwani Zanzibar which is for single mothers, children infected with HIV, victims of narcotics and the poor.

Meanwhile, the head of Justice and Peace commission in the Diocese Fr. Damasi Mfoi thanked the Conference for providing the Covid-19 protective equipment to the isolated community.

“Chukwani center provides services for children and people living with HIV, single mothers and victims of drugs. We serve all people regardless of religion, ethnicity, race etc. Here we witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ which emphasizes love for all. We are here to give love to God's people and this is how we live the Catholic faith here in Zanzibar - caring for the poor, the widows,” he said.

Commenting on the role that TEC is playing during this pandemic Fr Mfoi continued to say, “We gain strength when TEC collaborates with us to provide support to these caregivers as they are at risk of easily getting infected by Coronavirus.”

Receiving the equipment on behalf of the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam, Fr. Paul Chiwangu of the Immaculate Conception, Kurasini, thanked the Conference for being in the forefront of the fight against Covid-19 which is currently a national and global epidemic.

"This thermometer will be used to measure our believers’ temperature before entering the Church. Those who appear to have high temperature will be advised to follow the instructions given by the government through the Ministry of Health on what to do," said Father Chiwangu.

The Conference also distributed part of the equipment to St. Maurus Parish and has plans to donate sanitizers around small Christian Communities in some parishes in Dar es Salaam.

Andrew Kaufa, smm

Cardinal Phillippe Nakellentuba
Ouedraogo (SECAM)

As African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) prepare for their 6^th Summit which is due this year, the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and Commission of Bishops Conferences in Europe (COMECE) are calling for shared responsibility between Africa, Europe and the religious actors in view of sustainable development and prosperity.

The two continental bodies of Catholic bishops have said this through a joint statement which is signed by their presidents Cardinal Phillippe Nakellentuba Ouedraogo (SECAM) and Cardinal Jean Claude Hollerich (COMECE) entitled “For a people-centred, just and responsible partnership between our continents”.

“At a time when our two continents as well as the entire world have been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and its devastating consequences, we are firmly convinced that Africa and Europe could become engines for reinvigoration of multilateral cooperation by reinforcing their long-standing ties marked by common roots and geographical proximity,” say Cardinal Hollerich and Cardinal Ouedraogo.

“Europe can only be prosperous and in peace if we share peace and prosperity with our neighbours. For us Christians, African and Madagascar are not only our neighbours but our brothers and sisters, and we want to share with them,” they added.

COMECE and SECAM whose Secretariats are based on Brussels (Belgium) and Accra (Ghana) respectively draw attention of the policy makers for Europe and Africa to the Catholic Church’s concern for the people “particularly those in situations of vulnerability and weakness, affected by extreme poverty and hunger, persisting lack of an equitable access to basic services, corruption, violence, terrorist attacks and persecution against vulnerable religious communities, as well as exploitation of natural resources and environmental degradation.”

In the statement which reached AMECEA Online on Thursday June 11, 2020, COMECE and SECAM appreciate the preparatory efforts of the two organizations but found it worthwhile to give their recommendations as guided by the Catholic Social Teaching.

COMECE and SECAM presidents highlight the spirit of partnership for integral human

Cardinal Jean Claude Hollerich (COMECE)

development and insist on prioritizing “unhindered access to basic social services, adequate health care, education, nutrition, clean water and sanitation and descent housing.”

They also highlight partnership for integral ecology saying, “We encourage the adoption of policies that will raise public awareness and promote a change in citizen’s consumption patterns which are still very dependent on exploitative practices.”

Reminding the AU and EU of Pope Francis’ recent appeals to the international community “to eliminate the scourge of terrorism that is causing more and more bloodshed in Africa” Cardinal Hollerich and Cardinal Ouedraogo also advocate for partnership for promotion of human dignity, true security and sustainable peace.

“Perpetrators of these crimes should be brought to justice and the victims should receive full support of their respective governments and societies,” they add.

On addressing the problem of migration, the presidents of COMECE and SECAM insist that the international community must “facilitate their return and ensure adequate measures of protection and respect for their rights” but also ensure that those returning “receive adequate assistance for their reintegration in their communities.”

The SECAM and COMECE leadership argue that through the Catholic Social Teaching, the Church has already been giving guidance in order for AU and EU to addressing these challenges.

“We believe that the principles and values of human dignity, solidarity, preferential option for the poor, universal destination of goods, the promotion of integral human development, responsible stewardship of all creation, as well as the pursuit of the common good are necessary guidance and orientation in shaping the respective policy responses and actions,” the statement continues.

COMECE and SECAM acknowledge that in African societies, religion and culture are deeply rooted in community and personal bonds. As such, they recommend that the EU and AU strengthens partnership with the religious leaders on the continent.

“In this respect, we encourage policy makers on both continents to adopt policies contributing to a favourable environment and supporting inclusive inter-religious encounters and actions, while respecting the different ethos of the religious actors,” COMECE and SECAM recommend.

“It is our hope that the observations and policy recommendations elaborated by our Secretariats may be a constructive contribution to the preparations for the 6^th AU-EU Summit,” concludes the COMECE-SECAM statement as it points to the 10-page recommendations which they have submitted to AU and EU.

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth

As embassies, organizations and companies are undergoing digital transformation to automate their operations, SIGNIS Africa, which is the continental branch of the World Catholic Association for Communication has trained the parties at continental, regional and national levels to familiarize them with the online Propagation of Faith project application and embrace the new policy.

“As we all know, we are now living in the digital age and many operations in different fields of life are migrating from the analogue to the digital platform,” SIGNIS President Fr. Prof. Walter Chikwendu Ihejirika told AMECEA Onlinein an interview on Thursday, June 11.

“The world Catholic Association for Communication, SIGNIS, has to play a leading role in the new era. Therefore, it becomes logical that we have to migrate from the old application format to the digital platform,” he added.

According to the SIGNIS President, in the old format which he describes as the “hard paper format,” the applicant had to manually send the application via mail to the General Secretariat of SIGNIS in Brussels, Belgium: in the new format, “the applicant simply completes the form online, uploads the necessary accompanying documents and submits the application just with a click.”

SIGNIS whose mission is to “engage with media professionals and support Catholic Communicators to help transform our cultures in the light of the Gospel by promoting Human Dignity, Justice and Reconciliation,” convened zoom workshops to conduct trainings for the Anglophone and Francophone participants.

“The training had a dual aim; to familiarize the participants with the new digital platform developed by SIGNIS for receiving and evaluating communication-related applications for funds submitted to Propaganda Fide, and to enhance the capacity of SIGNIS-Africa members to write viable projects for funding agencies,” Fr. Ihejirika disclosed.

Signis Congress 2019

He narrated the intent of trainings saying, “In our years of evaluating projects submitted for funding to Propaganda Fide, we note that sometimes, applicants may have good projects, but they lack the capacity to articulate the presentation in such a way that will meet the expectations of the funder.”

The training which was conducted by SIGNIS Project Development Consultant Mr. George Heston, focused on two main areas namely, the six steps in effective project proposal writing and how to go about the SIGNIS online project proposal application.

In total, 32 members participated from 26 African countries, including the board of SIGNIS Africa, Regional Social Communications Coordinators, National Social Communications Directors and national representatives of SIGNIS.

“We expect that the various heads will pass on the knowledge they have gained to all the Catholic communicators and institutions within their region or nations,” SIGNIS president expressed his expected outcome from the participants after the training.

“At the end, we expect that Catholic communicators will be able to write good projects, make effective use of the new digital platform created by SIGNIS (and also) make proper use of funds received, and submit reports after the execution of the projects,” he added.

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Inauguration of Inter-Faith Council

The government of Kenya has set up an Inter-Faith Council that will be headed by Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Nyeri Archdioceseto look into modalities of reopening places of worship which were closed in March as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Honouring the sacrifices made by Kenyans of all faiths; noting their enormous patience and forbearance in being unable to exercise their religious rights in the normal way; and recognizing the need to develop protocols that will guide the re-opening of places of worship” Government of Kenya has appointed 16 members from various faith communities to form council as gazette on Friday, June 12.

The Council that was inaugurated on Wednesday, June 17, has been mandated to develop stringent protocols for phased re-opening of places of worship;guidelines towards the gradual and progressive resumption of in-person congregational worship that adheres to physical and social distancing guidelines; protocols for the celebration of weddings and other religious ceremonies in ways compliant with the guidelines; protocols for religious funerals, gravesides and crematoria last rites and send-off; to develop a programme for public sensitization and capacity-building of all religious leaders and clergy on the protocols.”

Archbishop Muheria noted during the inauguration that “the council’s efforts will only be successful if Kenyans are willing to comply with government regulations, among them social distancing and proper sanitation.”

The Church leaders “shall be answerable to the President of the Republic of Kenya, through the National and County Governments Co-ordinating Summit,” the Gazette notice reads.

The Inter- Faith Council will “Solicit, receive and consider any written memoranda or information from the public; and conduct any other actions or activities required for the effective discharge of its mandate.”

The mandate of the Council “shall lapse on 31st December, 2020; but may be extended at the discretion of His Excellency the President.”

Other members of the Inter-Faith Council include Rt. (Rev.) Bishop John Oballa, Rt. (Rev.) Bishop Joseph Obanyi, Rt. (Rev.) Moderator Julius Mwamba, Rev. (Can.) Chris Kamau Kinyanjui, Rev. (Can.) Rosemary Mbogo, Pastor (Dr.) Samuel Makori, Al Hajj Hassan Ole Naado, Sheikh Sukyan Hassan Omar, Sheikh Abdulatif Abdulkarim, Rev. (Fr.) Joseph Mutie, Bishop (Dr.) David Oginde, Rev. Connie Kivuti, Sujata Kotamraju, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Samuel Thiong’o Mwangi and Sheikh Ali Saidi Samojah.

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