Quantcast
Channel: AMECEA NEWS
Viewing all 5948 articles
Browse latest View live
↧

AMECEA: CUEA loses Head of Department

February 5, 2016, 8:01 am
$
0
0

The Late Rev. Dr. Joachim Msaki

The head of department of Religious Studies, at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Rev. Dr. Joachim Msaki passed away on 31st January 2016 after a short illness in Nairobi, Kenya

Information received from the University, a requiem mass was offered for him on Thursday at the University’s Main Campus in Langata Nairobi on Wednesday 3rd and attended by CUEA students, staff, friends and alumni. Another Mass is scheduled at the same venue on Sunday 7th at 7.30 am, after which the body will leave for Moshi, Tanzania his home diocese. Fr. Msaki will be laid to rest on Monday 8th February in Moshi.

Born on 19th September 1949, Fr. Msaki was ordained a priest of Moshi Diocese Tanzania on 11th June 1978. A doctor of Philosophy in Theology, Fr. Msaki joined CUEA 2009 as a visiting Lecturer from Mwenge University College (SAUT Constituent College). He was appointed Head of Department of Religious Studies at CUEA in October 2010 and in August 2015; he was promoted to the position of a Senior Lecturer.

An ardent contributor to the promotion of Christian faith and inter religious dialogue, Fr. Msaki has quite a number of publications attributed to him. Among them include “The Poor Ask: Salvation from What?” Pastoral Orientation SERVICE, TAPRI: Tabora Tanzania published in 1975; “Will Christianity Survive in Africa?” Gaba Publications: African Ecclesiastical Review (AFER), Vol. 18, No. 3 Eldoret, Kenya, published in 1976; Imani Matumaini na Umaana Wetu, TMP, Tabora, Tanzania published in 1977; “Christian-Muslim Dialogue: The Challenges Ahead.” Pastoral Orientation Services Vol.1 No.1 published and “Christians and Muslims in Tanzania: Let us Talk.” Pastoral Orientation Service, Vol. 1. No.2 both by St. Augustine University of Tanzania, (SAUT) Mwanza, in 2004 and “Rewards and Sanctions as Alternative to Corporal Punishment in Schools” Pastoral Orientation Service Vol. 2 No. 4 also published by SAUT Mwanza, in 2005.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.


By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
↧
Search

KENYA: Catholic Church lauds President Kenyatta for rejecting Religion regulation laws

February 5, 2016, 8:16 am
$
0
0


Rev. Fr. Daniel Rono, General Secretary
 Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops
The Catholic Church has applauded Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision to reject proposed religious societies rules 2015 that were intended to regulate churches.

The rules attracted widespread condemnation for infringing on Kenya’s constitution. In a statement sent to media houses on 28th, January, 2016, President Uhuru Kenyatta rejected the proposals and directed that a new process driven by religious stakeholders with the participation of the government and the general public to take place.

The Religious Societies Rules published by the Attorney General‘s Office require that all religious organizations submit their constitution showing statement of their doctrine of faith.
Any religious society in Kenya must have its constitution with programmes, ministries, charitable activities and education activities undertaken by the religious society and details of persons coordinating these activities. According to the new rules, all religious societies must be registered and open to the registrar's inspection any time. 

They also demand that all pastors in Kenya must hold a theological certificate from an accredited theological institution. The new rules was set to be gazetted at the end of January, and was expected to be operational after a year.
In an interview with Waumini News, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) General Secretary, Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Rono said that President Kenyatta’s decision to withdraw the proposed rules was reached after a successful consultative deliberation between religious leaders and the government.

While acknowledging the government’s concern about misuse of the freedom to worship by fraudulent religious leaders who extort money from worshipers and radicalize the youth, Father Rono said religious leaders were keen to adopt self-regulation.

The religious leaders drawn from Muslim, Hindu, National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), KCCB and evangelical Churches resolved to convene series of meetings to discuss the matter further and give way forward to the government.

President Kenyatta said that he expected the outcome to be a development of firm and fair regulations that uphold the sacrosanct principles of religious freedom that underpin the democratic ideals as guaranteed by the Kenyan constitution.

“The government remains committed to an open, transparent and accessible government where public participation and consideration of a broad range of views is paramount,” He added

By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications KCCB
↧
↧

MALAWI: New Bishop of Zomba Diocese installed

February 5, 2016, 8:30 am
$
0
0


Rt. Rev. George D. Tambala,
 Bishop of Zomba Malawi
After waiting for almost two years without a Bishop, finally, Zomba Diocese has a new Bishop. He is Rt. Rev Bishop George Desmond Tambala who was consecrated by the Papal envoy for Malawi and Zambia, Archbishop Julio Murat, at a colourful ceremony held at Zomba Catholic Secondary School ground on Saturday, 30thJanuary, 2016.

Thousands of Catholic faithful from all walks of life including President Peter Mutharika, his Vice, Saulos Chilima, Former President Bakili Muluzi, Cabinet Ministers, Bishops and priests were among the multitude that braved rain showers to witness the occasion.

Speaking at the function, President Mutharika commended the Catholic Church for being the country’s moral compass, saying he will count on it to teach Malawians old ways of believing in truth as opposed to relying on social media which some people are using to mislead others.
“You are the people to heal the national spirit as the Church guardian of morality,” said the President.

He cautioned Malawians against spreading sensitive rumours and lies against authorities and citizens through social media.

In his homily the Chairman of Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), Archbishop Thomas Msusa, said God’s ways are different from those of human beings.
“What the human mind despises is what God chooses to lead his people with. This is true of our candidate, but God had already chosen him to serve the Church of Zomba,” Archbishop Msusa said.
“God has His own plans and ways of administering His flock. Although human minds doubt the choices of God, His choices are always wiser than human minds and this is being fulfilled today through the consecration of Fr. George Tambala to be the Bishop of Zomba.

He then urged the new bishop to go and preach the word of God without fear. He also asked him to take care and collaborate with the clergy and the religious of Zomba Diocese who had been eagerly waiting for a shepherd for the past two years. He also asked him to support the lay faithful in their spiritual needs.

For his part, Bishop Tambala said he is just like a servant and is ready to work with all the people who matter in Zomba Diocese, including priests and the religious.

“I come to Zomba Diocese as a servant who is ready to work with the priests and the religious. I will be ready to listen and accommodate each one in the Diocese,” said Bishop Tambala.

He also stressed the need for the Church in Zomba to strive financing itself for the Church to grow.

By Prince Henderson; Communications Officer ECM
↧

AMECEA:'Let us Embrace the Spirit of Unity'; AMECEA Secretary General Urges Staff

February 5, 2016, 8:33 am
$
0
0


Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo, Secretary General of AMECEA, has urged the Secretariat staff to work in unity and cohesion and to avoid divisions and segmentation among Secretariat Departments. 

Fr Lugonzo was addressing staff on the final day of staff annual retreat and planning meeting which was held in Nakuru County from 25th to 29th January 2016.

“For the sake of prosperity and productivity, we cannot afford not working together in unity and cohesion as divisions and segmentation among the Secretariat Departments do not promote family, brotherhood and solidarity which are core values of AMECEA,” Fr Lugonzo said.

While thanking the staff for the commitments shown in their various capacities during last year, he also acknowledged the challenges the secretariat has been facing due to limited finances, which put a lot of strain in the secretariat.

“The Secretariat will continue to experience financial strains due to the ambitious project of the construction of AMECEA Commercial Complex, which we have embarked on; I, therefore, request for your understanding and collaborations,” he said.

He urged the staff to embrace working within the Secretariat structures and policies as well as maintaining the high standards of service delivery as they have demonstrated in the past. He also encouraged them to improve on the internal communications through effective flows and regular update of information.

Once again he welcomed the new members of AMECEA Staff who were attending the staff retreat and planning for the first time. These included Mr. Antony Mbandi, Coordinator of AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas Department; Sr. Tabitha Wambui Nyawira, ASN, who is the Program Officer at AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas Department and Mr. Bernard Mberere, ICT Officer of the secretariat under Social Communications Department.

By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
↧

SOUTH SUDAN: 'Only committed Priests should be assigned to the Seminary,' -Bishop

February 5, 2016, 8:39 am
$
0
0


Rt. Erkolano Lodu Tombe,
Vice President of 
Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference
 and Bishop of Yei
The Vice President of Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference (SCBC) Rt Rev Erkolano Lodu Tombe has warned that assigning uncommitted priests to the seminary would do more harm than good.    

According to reports aired by Radio Easter the Catholic Bishops in their meeting last month in Rome, Italy encouraged putting only committed spiritual teachers to the seminary because the uncommitted ones would be a waste of resources. 

Bishop Lodu added that the Conference also stressed on the need to provide refresher trainings to the local priests and sisters for better service.

The Vice President encourages priests and sisters to continue serving God’s people and the church in South Sudan and Sudan despite challenges.

Meanwhile the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba cautioned South Sudanese against the rampant killings in the country.

Bishop Santo Loku Pio wondered why South Sudanese as brothers and sisters of the same country take up guns to destroy their own villages, Radio Bakhita reports.

Be reminded that it is not good and it is unacceptable, Bishop Loku said.

The Bishop said that those who committed atrocities against their brothers and sisters are already guilty and condemned. He noted that killing each other has no gain and that people should think twice before committing any act of violence.

Source: CRN
↧
↧

MALAWI: CCJP Expresses Worry over persisting Social Problems

February 5, 2016, 8:45 am
$
0
0


Mr. Martin Chipphwanya, 
Acting National Secretary CCJP

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), a social development arm of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), has expressed worry over the continued food and drug shortage in the country; a situation which the Commission says puts lives of Malawians at risk.

CCJP Acting National Secretary, Martin Chiphwanya has since challenged the Government and other concerned partners to ensure that the right to food and essential health services is guaranteed to every Malawian citizen by making sure that maize is available in Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) deports and that adequate drug supply is also available in all public hospitals.

Martin notes that although drugs could be available in hospitals, in most cases they are stolen and as a result poor people do not have access to medicine.

“People are dying to diseases that can easily be cured. Poor people are also feeling the pinch as they don’t have the financial muscle to buy the medicine from Pharmacies,” he said adding that “it is worrisome to note that in other cases, more especially in the villages, people are buying medicines in uncertified shops and pharmacies which is a big threat to their right to life”.

Martin observed that so far there seem no any punitive measures given to those caught in the act of stealing medicine from public hospitals and in an event that culprits are caught, not heavy punishment is given to them as the society expects.

“CCJP believes that life is very sacred and all efforts should be taken to make sure that people’s lives are not put at any risk,” he added.

On food shortage situation, CCJP calls upon government to take necessary measures to make sure that maize is readily available in all Admarc deports and that those who connive with Admarc deport officials should be brought to book.

“We urge the Police and sectors involved to perform their role by ensuring that there is safety for Malawians who go to Admarc deports to buy maize and that those vendors that buy maize dubiously should be arrested,” said Chiphwanya.

He also challenged politicians who are taking advantage of the scarcity of maize to stop conniving with Admarc officials and buy maize dubiously with the selfish minds to achieve their political ambitions by donating in various fora including hospitals and political meetings.

“For instance, in Chikwawa we have received reports that people are queuing up at Admarc depots for long hours, some even spending nights in order to buy maize. They are being allowed to purchase 20 kilograms per person. Currently at local markets a bag of 50kgs is selling at K13, 000 which is not affordable by many poor people,” noted Chiphwanya.

Meanwhile, President Peter Mutharika in his state of national address on Wednesday 3rd February ordered the Police to track down and arrest all criminal maize vendors who connive with crooked Admarc officials to purchase subsidized maize at night and resell it to poor citizens at exorbitant prices.

Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (Cadecom), a relief and development arm of ECM is currently distributing relief food to hunger affected households in some parts of the country as part of World Food Program.


By Prince Henderson, ECM Communications Officer
↧

AMECEA: 'Celebrating the Year of Mercy': CUEA puts emphasize on the Sacrament of Reconciliation

February 5, 2016, 8:48 am
$
0
0


Logo of the Jubilee of Mercy

You can only give what you have, says Rev. Dr. Charles Kyallo the Chaplain at Catholic University of Eastern Africa CUEA. 

Speaking to AMECEA Online News in his office at the University’s main campus in Langata, Fr. Kyallo said that it is important to first tap the Mercy of God and then go out and distribute it to others.

“The main channel and avenue through which one taps the Mercy of God is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. By going to Confession, one embraces God’s mercy and therefore, he/she can go out there and experience God’s Mercy with others,” says Fr. Kyallo.

“We at the Catholic University are emphasizing on the need to go for Confessions as frequently as possible in order to benefit from this Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.”

CUEA launched Year of Mercy on 10th December 2015, with the unveiling of a special banner showing the Mercy of Jesus towards a sinner and the verse “blessed are the merciful for they shall receive Mercy” Mat. 7:7.

Fr. Kyallo explained that by emphasizing on the Sacrament of Confession, the University has scheduled that Monday at three o’clock for priest to be available for confession. “We have over 100 priests in the University and therefore we have put up a roster for that purpose of listening to confessions.”

To encourage more people to go for confessions, the University has invested in a good confessional and the priest on duty has to sit in the confessional way ahead of time such that neither he nor those going for confession see each other. “This is important because we have come to realize that people often shy away from confessing to someone they are acquainted,” Fr. Kyallo explained.

“The confessional is where the hurt and the oppressed come to meet the soul of Christ and that environment in which this happens need to be conducive for openness in order for one to receive the outpouring of God’s mercy,” he added.

The prayer for the Year of Mercy by Pope Francis have also been adequately distributed at the University and are collectively recited five times daily during the five daily Eucharistic Celebrations at the University. Holy Trinity University Chapel usually has three masses daily; at 7 am, noon and at 5 pm. While St. Bakhita Hostel for women religious students and St. Clare Hostel for lay female students both have daily Eucharistic celebrations at 6.45 pm.

The university plans to erect a 16 ft. statue of the Divine Mercy in our compound. Last year during the Year of Faith the University erected a grotto of Our Lady whose foundation was blessed by the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya Most Rev. Charles Daniel Balvo, and unveiled by Rt. Rev. Paul Kariuki Njiru, Bishop of Embu Diocese.

“To mark the Year of Mercy, on the Divine Mercy Sunday, which is the Second Sunday after Easter, the University will unveil the statue of Divine Mercy led by the Bishop of Lodwar Diocese Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich,” Fr. Kyallo said adding that these activities are the “External manifestations of our internal convictions. We want everyone entering this university to notice that it is a Catholic Institution not just by name.”

By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
↧

KENYA: AMECEA Secretariat Establishes ICT Coordination Office

February 5, 2016, 8:49 am
$
0
0


AMECEA ICT Policy/Guideline Handbook,
 Published by AMECEA Social 
Communications Department
AMECEA Secretariat has established an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Coordination Office in order to enhance efficient internet systems and networking at the Secretariat, which is located along Gitanga Road in Nairobi, Kenya.

According to Fr. Chrisantus Ndaga, the Head of the Social Communication Department at the AMECEA Secretariat, the Office with fulltime employees will be officially launched on Saturday 6th February 2016. In order to enhance internet and Wi-Fi connectivity, the Secretariat has invested in procurement of equipment, the setting up of servers and creating a centralized internal link to all the offices. With the installation of the servers, the Secretariat will be able to create a web that will host digitized documents of important events of AMECEA so that they can be accessible online.

Fr. Ndaga said that this project is designed to serve the AMECEA Secretariat by inter-connecting the Departments with the Central Administration office, promote effective networking with AMECEA institutions enhance communication with National Conferences offices.

He further said, “The ICT project is part of the implementation of the resolutions passed by the Bishops during the 17th AMECEA Plenary that was held in Kenya, 2011 and reiterated during the 18th AMECEA Plenary Assembly, held in Lilongwe, Malawi, 2014.” During the AMECEA Executive Board Meeting of May 2015, the Bishops approved the proposed plan and advised that in this age of new media, it is imperative for the AMECEA Secretariat to explore the effective use of ICT for the evangelization.

It is envisaged that the established of an ICT Office will enable the operators at the Secretariat to provide quality services to the Bishops, Institutions and all networks within and outside the AMECEA Region.

“For a long time, rather than enjoying good ICT services, the AMECEA Secretariat staff had been facing poor services issues which could only be resolved by an ICT expert,” he said adding that “despite of these challenges, we were hopeful that one day a permanent solution will be found.”

In order to emphasize the importance of this ICT Office, Fr. Ndaga said that it will be an effective tool that will promote positive interaction among member Episcopal Conferences; sharing of pastoral initiatives, provide education in social matters and as platform for evangelization.

This project, Fr. Ndaga said, aims at promoting the online presence of the Church through the usage of ICT and creating a medium for effective collaboration among member Conferences in the AMECEA region. It will also help the staff of AMECEA Secretariat to be more effective and efficient in the management and dissemination of information within the region.

He further said that it is within the vision of AMECEA Secretariat that the installation of ICT equipment will promote information sharing and research online; the provision of technical support and capacity building support of the AMECEA staff; the building of a network of communication with National Episcopal Conferences in the region; the promotion of online interaction and outreach to young people through Social Media and also online sharing of faith and building of online SCCs.

“Apart from concentrating to AMECEA secretariat,” Fr Ndaga said, “it is the wish of AMECEA Secretariat that this initiative should trickle down to the National Conferences level and eventually to the Diocesan level.” The AMECEA Social Communications Department, he said, will work closely with National Conferences to assess the ICT situation of the National Secretariat then work together with them in improving the ICT systems.

He said that the first phase of this project is for a period of three years and it will be implemented in partnership with Healey Foundation, a US based Charity organization. “Because of the complexity of the project, the Social Communication Department is planning to engage some other partners for support for other activities linked to the use of new media for evangelization,” Fr. Ndaga said.

Source: AMECEA Social Communications
↧
Search

AMECEA: ‘Stop the Indifference; Act Now’- A call from Justice and Peace Coordinators from the region

February 12, 2016, 5:22 am
$
0
0
This is one of the case studies that had been presented in the AMECEA Caritas, Justice and Peace consultative forum by Bekele Moges – Caritas Director Ethiopia. The study reminds us the immense work ahead of us and the need to bring about dignity in the people of the region and especially the youth.  We call upon the Justice and Peace workers and the Caritas workers in the region to engage with national and regional governments to bring dignity to the migrant, improve the standards in the prisons and most importantly provide opportunities for the youth in their countries to reduce the preying of the innocent by traffickers. This, is only one case out of the millions of cases that have ended up wrongly.  Let us stop the indifference and act now.

Habtamu Petrosis the youngest son in a family of six children. He has five siblings.He was born in 1985 of Mr. Petros Sugebo and Mrs. Woltemariam Ergete who live in the Hadiya Zone at Massena village located 24 kilometers from the Zonal Capital Hosanna Town.

All the children in the family were sent to school but could not continue with their education after completing the eighth grade save for Habtamu. Habtamu commenced his studies with the encouragement of his father up to completion of the University preparatory class. He did not make it to a public university and was therefore forced to join a private university where he paid a tuition fee of 15 USD per month. He graduated with a Diploma in Laws.

Agriculture is the source of livelihood in Hadiya Zone.His family supported him in his education through agricultural production and also marketing of livestock such as sheep and goats.  In the region, families subdivide the land to accommodate their sons when they start families and this was not any different from Habtamu’s family. The family had, by the time of his graduation allocated half (0.5) hectares of land to his elder siblings out of their total three (3) hectares.

Habtamu graduated from University in 2009. During this time the family had one oxen and one cow. His graduation gave hope to the family to change their livelihood. The family decided to sell their cow and buy graduation attire and organize celebration for him.

After graduation Habtamu failed to secure a job and could not be able to establish self-employment since he did not have a concrete idea and no startup capital. He eventually started getting frustrated and had a sense of guilt for exhausting the family assets.  His conversation with family and friends painted a rosy picture of cars and big buildings and shops in the zonal town, Hosanna, and its surrounding. Also in towns that belonged to people who had gone to South Africa with their families. He eventually was lured to thinking that his dream solutions lay in travelling to South Africa. The continuous peer influence, the push factor of being jobless, unrealistic promises and hopes and the persuasion of the brokers of human traffickers made him reach the decision to migrate to South Africa through the illegal means.

He convinced the family members to send him to South Africa so that he will work and change his
and their lives. The family was easily convinced since so many youngsters had left from the neighboring districts and villages. 
After getting the blessing of the family the search for money to pay to traffickers went on for a month. The amount of money required by the broker to bring him to Johannesburg in South Africa was roughly estimated to 3000 USD. This would cover “consultancy” fees only and other costs such as internal travel expenses up to the boarder of Ethiopia stand the rest would be paid by the migrant. Two (2) months was the timeline given by the broker to arrive in Johannesburg. 

With some contribution from close relatives, the selling of the only oxen and leasing part of their farm (one hectare for 10 years), the deal with the brokers was finalized and preparation to start the trip was completed. The date to reach to the Ethiopia Kenyan Boarder to Moyale town (600 km away) was fixed.  The mobile contact number of the agent in Moyale was given to Habtamu and he set off by taking a bus to Hawassa town about 150 kilometers from Hosanna.  He took another bus from Hawassa to Moyale the next day in the evening. He found the contact person and stayed in a hidden location in the outskirts of the town.

He remembers the first reception of the brokers at Moyale was attractive and very good. “I found about 145 youngsters in that hidden smuggling camp”.  At about 2:00 a.m., which was 5 hours after meeting the agent and staying in the camp they were told to rush to a lorry. All of them were loaded on the truck and had to seat on each other. They were driven to Embu in Kenya. They reached to the first destination after 18 hours.  In Embu, they were made to stay in the forest. No food or drinks were served.  From there on they had to travel on footduring the night and sleep during the day times. They were told to take only the river course or depression along the valley. They were not allowed to follow the roads. After two days they reached “Nairobi” where they were locked in a big room where most of the travelers to South Africa stay waiting for their turn. Here they were served with bread and water. After one day of stay in the Nairobi “confinement” camp, they were all loaded onto a closed 40-foot container. After being driven through the night once again they were left in a forest in a place he does not know. One night in a bush and he was lucky to be on the first group of five to be driven to Taveta, on the border of Kenya and Tanzania.

From there they walked to Tanzania and yet again they were taken in the bush where no one could see them. Food was scarce and they received a piece of bread from the guards once every 24 hours.  By now, the target date for reaching Johannesburg had passed. He started to lose hope. His clothes were torn as they kept running through the bushes. During this time the migrants were regrouped in smaller numbers. The group of Habtamu was driven by a truck to a place called ‘Bagamoyo’ north of Dar es Salaam, after which they walked to the border of Tanzania with Malawi. Walking was done strictly at night with resting being done during the day in the bushes. It took them 20 days on foot to reach to the border. They were again placed in an open dormitory (bush).  By now, the number of those who had died on the way was five (5). From the border they walked to Central Malawi to a place he refers to as Mphomwwe.

This is where the journey to the “promised land” for Habtamu ended.  On the date he does not remember at about 11:00 a.m. the camp was raided by Malawian police.  They were remanded for two weeks at the end of which they were arraigned in court.  On the same day a verdict of six months imprisonment was given. The six months stay in the prison was very tight. After six months they were told that they were free but they could not go anywhere as the Malawi government could not take them to the Ethiopian border. The Ethiopian Embassy to Malawi resides in Nairobi and no one was able to negotiate on their behalf. Habtamu and his fellow migrants remained in Malawian jail for two years and two months.  His ordeal in prison is painful from lack of meals common to him in Ethiopia to lack of proper sanitation facilities. He lost his self-worth. He remembers hope in the form of assistance from the Catholic Church in Malawi who provided soap and sugar for them in prison.

Eventually, the Red Cross helped repatriate Habtamu and his fellow prisoners from Ethiopia to the Kenya Ethiopian border to Moyale.  Here they had to wait for family members to come and collect them since they did not have money or decent clothes. Habtamu managed to call his brother and informed him of his predicament. The brother came to pick him and brought with him some clothes and also funds to travel home. Despite the failure, the illusion and expectation of the family they appreciated the safe return of their son.

Once Habtamu returned home he was determined to try again to reestablish himself.  This time round he wanted to try self-employment opportunities, which he was not able to actualize before his migration. He went to the local vocational training on welding for six months. While being trained he worked for free in a garage to develop his skills.   After his completion of the skill training he was employed and started working at one of the welding garage in Hosanna town.  He worked there for 3 months. He saved some money and started his own work.  As he was young, of good character and integrity he received a loan from local lenders at an interest rate of 10% in order to buy welding and grinding machines. He bought two secondhand machines, rented a small house and started to produce steel doors and windows. He has hired two young assistants who like him, had attempted the South African trip.


Habtamu regrets for the time he spent in attempting to cross to South Africa. He said he was misled by the false promises for a better life by the brokers. He did not know that the trip would be so grave, challenging and dangerous. Now, he is convinced that hard work and exploitation of the minimal opportunities at home country is better than the fantasy life expected in the unknown country. He advises fellow youngster not to attempt the suffering he passed through. His belief now is that “if death is the only choice better to have it sudden and peaceful than gradual and painful”.

By Antony Mbandi; Justice, Peace and Caritas Coordinator -AMECEA


↧
↧

SOUTH SUDAN: President Salva Kiir re-appoints Dr Machar as Vice President

February 12, 2016, 6:12 am
$
0
0
President Salva Kiir
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has issued a decree on Thursday appointing his rival Dr Riek Machar to be his first Vice President and James Wani Igga Second Vice President.

Salva Kiir’s decree read over South Sudan Television on Thursday evening is an implementation of the peace agreement signed in August 2015.

Media agencies report that Dr Machar welcomed the appointment. He thanks President Kiir for the bold step taken so that the agreement can be implemented.

“There is no way out except to implement the agreement,” Dr Machar said.
Dr Riek Machar

The announcement returned the presidency to where it was soon before fighting erupted between supporters of the two men in December 2013 - a conflict that went on to kill thousands of people and force more than two million to flee.

South Sudan has been mired in conflict since December 2013, when clashes broke out between troops loyal to Kiir and soldiers backing Riek Machar, who previously held the vice president position.


SOURCE: CRN
↧

ZAMBIA: Catholic Bishops ready to collaborate with Catholic Health Professionals

February 12, 2016, 6:18 am
$
0
0
The Catholic Church in Zambia is ready and willing to collaborate with the Catholic Health professionals in responding to the needs of the ailing brothers and sisters across the country.

ZEC Secretary General, Fr Cleophas Lungu speaking on behalf of Catholic Bishops of Zambia said this at a media breakfast meeting of Catholic Health Professionals Association held at Cardinal Adam Memorial Hospital in Lusaka.

Fr. Lungu further disclosed that the Catholic Bishops of Zambia are hoping that the Lusaka based Catholic Health Professionals will support Cardinal Adam Memorial Hospital by offering expertise, technical assistance and linkages.

He further appealed to Catholic Health professionals to take Cardinal Adam Memorial Hospital as their own hospital.

Fr. Lungu also reminded the Catholic health professionals about Pope Francis’ call in this year of mercy, to rediscover and practice corporal works of mercy such as feeding the hungry, welcoming strangers, visiting the prisoners, burying the dead as well as taking care of the sick.

He also said that the Catholic Bishops of Zambia envisions Cardinal Adam memorial Hospital as a place where the sick are supposed to experience God’s compassionate love through the loving, caring and merciful hands of doctors, nurses and other health workers.

The breakfast meeting coincided with the World day of the Sick which falls every year on the 11thFebruary.

This 24th World Day of the Sick was celebrated under the theme:- Entrusting oneself to the Merciful Jesus like Mary: Do whatever he tells you in reference to John 2:5. Speaking at the same event, Lusaka provincial medical officer Dr. Kennedy Malama challenged Catholic health professionals to offer time and advice on how to develop take Cardinal Adam Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Malama also called on ZEC to popularise the hospital services in parishes for people to know what the hospital offers.

Cardinal Adam Memorial Hospital is 150 bed capacity Zambia’s Catholic national hospital currently operating 30 bed capacity and outpatient department. It operates a maternity, fully equipped theatre, dental and other medical services.


By Mwenya Mkuka, Communications Officer, ZEC
↧

SOUTH SUDAN: Give Journalists freedom for the nation to grow, says Bishop Santo

February 12, 2016, 6:22 am
$
0
0
Bishop Santo Loku Pio
The Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba, His Lordship, Santo Loku Pio says the government should ensure that the media houses work without difficulties to enlighten South Sudanese on reconciliation.  He further said that journalists should be given their freedom to fully inform the citizens for the nation to grow.

He was speaking during the celebration of the tenth anniversary of Radio Bakhita on Monday 8th February at St Joseph’s Parish in Juba. In his address he highlighted the need to
teach South Sudanese’ to know the importance and dignity of human being.

He called on journalists to continue playing a big role to combat tribalism and nepotism in the country. His sentiments were echoed by Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, the National Alliance Chairman who said that the court of law should be the one controlling journalists, not security organs. “If you deny people the freedom of expression, you are inciting them to cause chaos, says Dr. Lam.

The Chairman says the National Alliance participation in the transitional government will work to handle the current economic situation. The Alliance will also ensure that the coming government respects human rights and the basic laws, he pledged.

Meanwhile, UNESCO, National Ministry of Information and the Embassy of Sweden on Thursday 11th February launched women and youth radio listener clubs in Rumbek.

Women and youth listener clubs received four bicycles, ten radio sets and four mobile phones. The clubs also received four digital audio recorders, rechargeable batteries and units.

UNESCO and the Swedish International Development Agency established two women and two youth radio listener clubs in Rumbek and Wau.

The clubs support Radios Voice of Hope in Wau and Good News in Rumbek to provide a platform for access to information and freedom of expression. The clubs also give community dialogue and engage with the decision makers for the women and youth.

Similar initiatives are also underway in Pibor and Awerial and will be replicated throughout all the states.



Source: CRN
↧

KENYA: Citizens urged to strive for a peaceful and prosperous Nation

February 12, 2016, 6:24 am
$
0
0
Kenyans have been called upon to strive to make Kenya a peaceful, prosperous and a stable Country by promoting dialogue, reconciliation and forgiveness during this jubilee year of Mercy announced by Pope Francis.

In his homily during the Launch of 2016 National Lenten Campaign on 7th, February, 2016 at St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral Ngong Diocese, The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) – Catholic Justice and Peace Commission Chairman Rt. Rev. Cornelius Korir said, Kenya is a blessed Country and her people beginning with the leaders need to shun corruption, negative ethnicity and radicalization that tears the Country apart and embrace oneness, tolerance of one another and creation of job opportunities for the youth.

Lent is a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and penance before Easter. In the Christian tradition, this is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday (Sundown). This annual commemoration prepares the faithful through prayer, repentance, giving alms and self-denial, for the events linked to the Passion of Christ and the celebration of his resurrection.

Referring to Pope Francis’ Lenten message, Bishop Korir reiterated that “the season of Lent in this jubilee year be lived more intensely as a privileged moment to celebrate and experience God’s mercy.” He called on Kenyans to forget their past experiences and to forgive and love one another as the country moves towards the general election 2017.

He added that “in the season of Lent, the Catholic Church calls her faithful to be in fellowship and solidary with their brothers and sisters who are less fortunate and support the church through prayers, self-denial and alms giving.”

Leading by example, KCCB steered by CJPC National Executive Secretary Beatrice Odera donated clothes and foodstuff to more than four thousand households in Mathare slums in Ngong Town after the Launch of the Lenten campaign.

In the same spiritual mood of lent, Kenyans have been called upon to reflect and advocate for change in problems affecting the society on selected topics for reflection for five weeks: Responsible citizenry, care environment, family values, insecurity and corruption respectively.

The Launch that was preceded by a walk through Ngong Town to the Cathedral was attended by Ngong Bishop Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa, representatives from The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) Countries, KCCB, CJPC diocesan coordinators, the faithful and Government officials who were also issued with Lenten Campaign booklets.


By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications; Photos by Daniel Kipngetich of Ngong Diocese
↧
↧

KENYA: New TEC Communications Coordinator Visits AMECEA and KCCB Secretariats

February 12, 2016, 6:35 am
$
0
0
Mr Bernard James (standing) receiving
instructions from  Fr Chrisantus Ndaga
In the spirit of collaboration and solidarity the new National Communications Coordinator for Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) Mr. Bernard James visited AMECEA Secretariat department of Social Communications as well as Waumini Communications Limited of Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) as part of his orientation process to his new office.

“My main intention for visiting these two institutions was to learn a thing or two in terms of coordination, resource mobilization, ICT as well as networking,” Said Mr. Bernard James who took over the office in January 2016.

Mr. Bernard who comes  from the secular media, is an alumni of St. Augustine University of Tanzania SAUT. He  is confident that with the information he got from AMECEA and KCCB, his plans for the department will be a success.

He noted that he needed  more information on social media, which is increasingly becoming an important tool for evangelization work in this IT era. He was glad with the assistance he had gotten from the new ICT office at AMECEA. "Already we have twitter and Facebook accounts as well as a blog and a website at the Tanzanian Secretariat but  our goal is to make these platforms vibrant tools for promoting the works of evangelization.”

The New coordinator plans to organize a workshop for all diocesan communications coordinators as well as directors of Catholic Media houses in Tanzania to create a forum for empowerment, networking and sharing of experiences which will go a long way in insuring better communication services throughout the conference.

Previously Bernard worked as a producer and presenter at a local TV station in Tanzania.

By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
↧

KENYA: AMECEA Justice, Peace and Caritas reaffirm commitment to diligently serve the Region

February 12, 2016, 6:43 am
$
0
0
Participants of the meeting
In an effort to implement the 17thAMECEA Plenary Resolution on the need for Justice and Peace as well as Caritas Commissions to find modalities to work closer together in an effort to bring about the face of Christ to the people of God, National Caritas Directors and National Justice and Peace Executive Secretaries from the AMECEA Region during their first Regional Meeting held in Nairobi strongly reaffirmed their commitment to fully collaborate rendering quality service to the society.

According to Mr. Antony Mbandi, Coordinator of AMECEA Justice, Peace and Caritas Department, this Resolution was strengthened during the 18thPlenary of AMECEA in Malawi in 2014 where the Bishops passed another Resolution creating the department of Justice Peace and Caritas in an effort to build synergies in the works of charity and mercy.

During their first Regional Meeting held in Nairobion 6thto 8thFebruary, 2016, the National Caritas Director and National Justice and Peace Executive Secretaries from AMECEA Region made a number of commitment of which top on their list is to serve with professionalism, compassion and care with formation of the heart, while committed to always have the face of Christ in all their work with a clear focus on enhancing the dignity of the people of God.

They also committed themselves to continue working together through information and knowledge sharing while at the same time calling upon other social departments to hold hands to serve the human persons. They also called upon AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas Department to invest more in research on topical areas affecting AMECEA conferences which include extractives, migration/trafficking, conflict resolution, climate change and livelihoods.

The group made a commitment to ensure good stewardship in their work for the common good of all as well as focusing their programs on formation guided by Catholic Social Teaching while emphasizing on ownership and sustainability.

Other issues that were given priority during the meeting included the extractive industries which more often than not are a curse to the local communities rather than a blessing. A commitment was made to have a stronger voice on negative effects of extractives and economic injustices. On the issue of human trafficking and undocumented migration, they committed themselves to address the root causes and the needs of the persons who are affected. Another issue that was discussed was that of radicalization in the region, they committed to develop and implement programs that promote social justice with emphasis on economic issues affecting the youth.

Finally committed to network and collaborate with other like-minded agencies and stakeholders working in the AMECEA region dealing with various social issues in service of God’s people.

The meeting was made possible by the support of CAFOD, a longtime partner of AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas Department. It is a culmination of a series of meetings and events that have been undertaken by AMECEA. Ultimately, this meeting responded to  the directive issued by His Holiness Pope Francis to find ways of holding hands and creating more efficiency and effectiveness in an effort to serve the people of God better and especially in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi who reminds us that the bond between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace are inseparable. (Laudato Si 10).


By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
↧
Search

KENYA: Justice, Peace and Caritas Coordinators from AMECEA region Join KCCB in the Launching of 2016 Lenten Campaign

February 12, 2016, 7:05 am
$
0
0
The Justice and Peace Executive Secretaries and the National Caritas Directors from the AMECEA member countries participated in the launching of the KCCB National Lenten Campaign whose theme is “Peaceful & Prosperous Kenya – My Responsibility”. 

The colorful event led by Rt. Rev. Cornelius Kipng’eno Arap Korir, Bishop of Eldoret (Chairman of the Justice and Peace Commission) and Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa, Bishop of Ngong (Vice Chairman of the Kenyan Conference of Catholic Bishops).

This was an opportunity for the heads of the social departments from the conferences in the AMECEA region to share knowledge and experiences during the first Caritas Directors and Justice and Peace Executive Secretaries joint meeting, organized by AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas Department. 

“I thought there was very little to learn from this event.  I however, wish I could have brought more people from my country and hopefully our Bishops to see how Kenya is doing its Lenten campaign,” remarked one of the participants.  

During the homily Bishop Korir made reference to Laudato Si in reference to the plastics
dumping site in Ngong which is right in front of the Cathedral. He asked the local authorities to act fast so that the plastics are removed and disposed in a more environment friendly manner.  In reference to the same plastics, the Bishop Oballa decried the indifference being experienced by the authorities and hoped that the launch of the campaign in Ngong would highlight the need to change our hearts.  He also asked that the message of the Lenten campaign be sent across the entire AMECEA region.

On her part Beatrice Odera, who is the National Catholic Justice and Peace Coordinator thanked her AMECEA colleagues and other catholic partners for standing in solidarity with Kenya, during the launch and hoped that AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas would organize more occasions such as this where conferences can have an opportunity to learn from each other.



By AMECEA Online News Reporter
↧

AMECEA: ICT Office launched

February 12, 2016, 7:26 am
$
0
0
In 1968, AMECEA started the first social communications Department in Africa, the first Regional Conference in Africa to establish Social Communications department and now again AMECEA is the first to start ICT office said Rev. Fr. Joseph Healey, MM who is the first coordinator of AMECEA Social Communications Department.

Speaking during the official launch of the AMECEA ICT Coordination office at the Secretariat in Nairobi on Saturday 6th, February Fr. Joseph Healey said, “Because of this achievement, we want to be humble but at the same time be proud that AMECEA is moving ahead.”

“With the official inauguration of the AMECEA ICT Coordination Office at the Secretariat, we are embarking on a very important step in our activities as AMECEA, not just as the secretariat but also as a regional conference that brings together a good number of Bishops and this initiative means a lot for the evangelization work in the region,” said AMECEA Secretary General Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we are also celebrating our friends and partners who have made it possible that the ICT office is inaugurated and functional within AMECEA,” he added.

Also speaking at the event, The AMECEA Social Communication Coordinator, Rev Fr Chrisantus Ndaga said that the launching of the office is the beginning of the long journey in the ICT world. He was  grateful with what had been achieved so far. 

The ICT Officer at AMECEA Mr. Bernard Mberere explained that since the office started operating in January 2016, a number of activities have been achieved. These included relocating the ICT equipment, robust re-installation of local area network as well as additions of wireless network capacities, maintenance of staff computers and secure internet connections and setting up of an ICT Office.



By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
↧
↧

Article 1

February 12, 2016, 8:14 am
$
0
0
KENYA: Commitment Statement of AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas First Regional Meeting held in Nairobi on 6th to 8th February 2016

Preamble
In the 17th Plenary of Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), the Bishops passed a resolution on the need for the Justice and Peace as well as Caritas Commissions to find modalities to work closer together in an effort to bring about the face of Christ to the people of God.

This resolution was strengthened during the 18th Plenary of AMECEA in Malawi in 2014 where the Bishops passed another resolution creating the department of Justice Peace and Caritas in an effort to build synergies in the works of charity and mercy.

This collaboration was also emphasized in the MUMEMO; Declaration and the Kinshasa Declaration, which clearly outlines the integral nature of charity in the work of the Church and the responsibility of the Bishops to guide this work as stated in 25a of Deus Caritas Est: “For the Church, charity is not a kind of welfare activity which could equally well be left to others, but is a part of her nature, an indispensable expression of her very being.”

In the same spirit, we the National Caritas Directors and the National Executive Secretaries of Justice and Peace from the (AMECEA) Region are elated to have been able to carry forward this spirit of the AMECEA Bishops and have been able to hold our first joint meeting in Nairobi which is a first of its kind in the region and true in the continent. 

This meeting is a culmination of a series of meetings and events and ultimately in accordance with the directive issued by His Holiness Pope Francis to find ways of holding hands and creating more efficiency and effectiveness in an effort to serve the people of God better and especially in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi who reminds us that the bond between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace are inseparable. (Laudato Si 10). 

COMMITMENT STATEMENT 
We the National Caritas Directors and National Justice and Peace Executive Secretaries from the AMECEA Region therefore declare that:

Inspired by the call of Pope Benedict XVI, to serve with professionalism, compassion and care with formation of the heart, we commit ourselves to always have the face of Christ in all our work with a clear focus on enhancing the dignity of the people of God.

1.    Inspired by the call of Pope Benedict XVI, to serve with professionalism, compassion and care with formation of the heart, we commit ourselves to always have the face of Christ in all our work with a clear focus on enhancing the dignity of the people of God.

2.  We Justice, Peace and Caritas Heads of Departments from AMECEA member countries will continue working together through information and knowledge sharing and we call upon other social departments to hold hands to serve the human persons.

3.   We call upon AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas Department to invest more in research on topical areas affecting our conferences which include extractives, migration/trafficking, conflict resolution, climate change and livelihoods

4.    We commit ourselves to ensure good stewardship in our work for the common good of all and commit ourselves to focus our programmes on formation guided by Catholic Social Teaching while emphasizing on ownership and sustainability.

5.   We recognize the complexity of the issues of exploitation in the extractives industries in our region which does not benefit our people, we commit ourselves to have a stronger voice on negative effects of extractives and economic injustices.

6.  We recognize the reoccurrence of emergencies in our region. We thus commit ourselves to develop strategies to work towards building an emergency solidarity fund to respond efficiently and effectively to different disasters in the region and within the national conferences.

7.     We are concerned with human trafficking and undocumented migration caused by a number of factors.  Persons who are victims have to be handled with human dignity. While recognizing the laws of the different countries, we are committed to address the root causes and the needs of the persons who are affected.

8.      Having discussed the issue of radicalization in the region, we commit to develop and implement programmes that promote social justice with emphasis on economic issues affecting the youth.

We commit ourselves to network and collaborate with other like-minded agencies and stakeholders working in the AMECEA region dealing with various social issues in service of God’s people.  


Present
1. Antony Mbandi – Justice Peace and Caritas Director – AMECEA
2. Beatrice Odera – CJPC Executive Secretary Kenya
3. Bekele Moges Kidane – Caritas Director Ethiopia
4. Carstens Mulume – Director of Social Development – Episcopal Conference of Malawi
5. Cassian Lushinge – Director of Human Dignity – Tanzania Episcopal Conference
6. Fr. Kiflom Tesfaghiorghis – Secretary General - Eritrea Conference of Catholic Bishops
7. Guelay Woldegiorgis Kahsay – CJPC Executive Secretary Ethiopia 8. Jim Long John – CJPC Executive Secretary South Sudan
9. Laurenti Masui – Caritas Director Tanzania
10. Martin Chiphwanya – CJPC Executive Secretary Malawi
11. Msgr. Dr. Francis Ndamira – Caritas Director Uganda
12. Prossy Nambatya – Representing CJPC Executive Secretary Uganda
13. Samuel Mulafulafu – Caritas Director Zambia
14. Stephen Kituku – Caritas Director Kenya 

In attendance
1. Margaret Mwaniki – Representing Caritas Africa
2. Merab Dinah – CUEA – Centre for Social Justice and Ethics
 3. Pauline Wakibiru –AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas Department

4. Sr. Tabitha Nyawira – AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas Department
↧

ZAMBIA: ZEC Communication Chairman urges Catholic Journalists to be Professional

February 12, 2016, 9:09 am
$
0
0
The Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has appealed to Journalists working in its media houses not to put the name of the Catholic Church in disrepute through their reporting and programming

ZEC Chairman of Communication Rt. Rev. Moses Hamungole, Bishop of Monze said that as the country gets closer to 2016 tripartite elections, Catholic media houses should stay focused and professional in their line of duty.

“I urge you to stay focused and professional in your line of duty. Be balanced, accurate and seek the voices of all the people involved in the news stories before airing. Avoid being biased and partisan as that may put the name of the Church that has stood nonpartisan in disrepute. Should you be seen or seem to become partisan the good name you have earned yourselves over the years risks going down the drain” Bishop Moses cautioned.

He added that the Catholic Church in Zambia sees radio as an important tool for spreading its prophetic voice on various matters and that it has proved to be a tool for development.

“As you gather here, I urge you to work together as Catholic radio station in Zambia” He said.

He also advised Catholic media managers not to run the Church media outlets like personal media.

Bishop Moses Hamungole was speaking on Monday, 8th February, 2016 at a workshop for Catholic media workers in Kasisi area of Lusaka under the theme: Reporting Church News.

Speaking at the same event, Catholic Media Services (CMS) Director Fr. Winfield Kunda implored Journalists in Catholic run media houses not to fall into the trap of following circular media programming.

He said Catholic radio stations should project a wonderful voice of counsel on members of the society and be a reliable voice on vices in society.

“Let the Catholic Church media be a reliable voice to condemn drug abuse, tribalism, corruption, violence in homes and other vices. Ours should be the media which is objective, fair, balanced and that which remain truthful to the message of Jesus Christ. I urge you to talk about evils that the bad governance has brought in society, also what the advent of internet has brought on families that are not using it well,” he said.

“Our colleagues in the circular media have a tripartite mandate of Informing, Educating and Entertaining but us, working for the Church media is to Evangelize, Inform, Educate and Entertain our audience” He added.


By Mwenya Mkuka, ZEC Communications Officer
↧

ZAMBIA: AMECEA Pastoral Coordinator Calls for strengthening of the Laity participation in Evangelization work

February 19, 2016, 3:44 am
$
0
0
Rev. Fr. Febian Mulenga Pikiti
Need for Christian Formation of the laity, building of Families as the Foundation of Christian Life, promoting active participation of the Laity from the grassroots, encouraging the participation in public life and need to encourage the Laity to be agents of positive change are among the issues that AMECEA Countries need to put more emphasis on.

This was said by AMECEA Pastoral Coordinator Rev. Fr. Febian Mulenga Pikiti during opening of the three-day conference of the Council for the Laity in Eastern Africa COLEA held at Lusaka Zambia from Tuesday 16th- 19 February 2016.

The conference was organized by AMECEA Pastoral Department in collaboration with the ZEC Pastoral department and Laity Council of Zambia.

Fr. Pikiti explained that in order to help the laity answer to their vocation, they must be formed individually and collectively. In reference to the document Ecclesia in Africa no. 75, Fr. Pikiti said “… People who have never had the chance to learn cannot really know the truths of faith nor can they perform actions which they have never been taught. For this reason the whole community needs to be trained, motivated and empowered for evangelization, each according to his or her specific role within the church.”

He said that Clergies should also know the place and role of the laity and learn proper skills on how to guide them to achieve their desired goal. “Unfortunately, we have inherited from the old system where the clergy and religious had a big say in the Church, while the laity were mere just receivers and sometimes onlookers. We cannot change the laity and make them active unless we first change the system,” he said.

On the issue of building the Family as the Foundation of Christian life, Fr. Pikiti explained that the teaching and formation of Laity must start in the families. “The families themselves must be prepared for the noble task of forming a domestic church. This strong catechesis must accompany the faithful through the different stages of life, that is, at school and after school, in childhood, youth and adulthood,” he said.

Concerning the issue of promoting active participation of the Laity from the grassroots level especially in the Small Christian Communities, Fr. Pikiti said that the frontier of Evangelization in the AMECEA Region for the laity is in the Small Christian Communities (SCCs)

He said, “The small Christian Communities remind us of the small home Churches of the first Christians who celebrated the breaking of bread from house to house. In the same way, the SCCs members come know each other. They visit each other and share whatever they have in the best way possible. It is also in the SCCs that they can live together their faith in everyday life. Here they are pro-active on a daily basis their mandate to announce the Gospel to the neighbor by word, action and example.”

Concerning the participation in Public Life, Fr. Pikiti explained that the Laity are to be active agentd of holiness in the world. Referring to the Post synodal exhortation Africae Munus, he said that Lay men and women are called, above all, to holiness. A holiness which is to be lived in the world. “Through her lay members, the Church is present and active in the world. Lay people have an important role to play in the Church and in the society,” he said.

Fr. Pikiti also emphasized on the issue of the need for AMECEA Laity to be agents of positive change. “There are certain areas where it is the laity who can make a difference. These include political, economical and social areas,” he added that there are complaints that the good Catholics often shun politics and in this way politics remains dirty.

To the Participants of the conference Fr Pikiti said, “As representatives of the Laity from our various countries, we need to consolidate the structures that bind us together to Christ the true vine. Through the Laity Councils, we are to promote a systematic participatory governance and mission of the Church.”

“Let us all work together to build the kingdom of God,” he implored.




By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
↧
Viewing all 5948 articles
Browse latest View live
Search