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KENYA: Archbishop Kivuva Says Filmmaking presents greater possibilities

June 3, 2016, 6:34 am
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Archbishop Kivuva of Mombasa leads Diocesan
Communications Team in Cutting the Cake
during the launch of the film Chozi 
Mombasa Archbishop Most Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde applauds the role of filmmakers in educating the society.

Speaking during the launch of a new film dubbed Chozi, a production of Miritini Catholic Church and Lwanga Communications Centre – the Communications department of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa at Loreto Covent Mombasa, Archbishop Kivuva hailed the film project as springboard to the future of film making. “Today we are witnessing the birth of greater possibilities, from here we may pick the idea of a local channel dedicated for local content, who knows?” he said. 

The Archbishop affirmed that film-production has the power to play a formation role in the society as well as engaging the youth to realize their potential “our young people are radicalized because they are not busy, this film engaged around 30 young people across the coast and beyond” he underlined.

The Archbishop thanked and congratulated the production team for the commendable job which they achieved with limited resources “I commend the passion of Lwanga Communications team, they have done this with meagre resources, with the support of ordinary people like you and me not from Hollywood,” he said.
At the same time, addressing the gathering, Mombasa County Executive Member Youth Gender and Sports Mohammed Abbas said that the County Government is committed to partnering with the church and other stakeholders to support film making industry in the region. The event was also attended by Wundanyi Member of Parliament and Chairman of Catholic Members of Parliament Thomas Mwadeghu.

Chozi which means a tear drop is a film that highlights the importance of marriage as a sacrament in the Catholic Church’s dogma.


Source: The Catholic Mirror, KCCB
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ETHIOPIA: Newly Consecrated Apostolic Vicar of Harar asks for prayers for Christian communities in his Vicariate

June 3, 2016, 6:44 am
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Rt. Rev. Angelo Pagano, OFM Cap. 
New Apostolic Vicar of Harar

 Rt. Rev. Angelo Pagano, O.F.M. Cap. the newly consecrated Apostolic Vicar of Harar, Ethiopia has asked for prayers for members of the Christian Community in the Vicariate. Speaking during his consecration on May 29, 2016 at Diredawa St. Augustine Catholic Church, the Bishop who chose “Love one another” (Jn 15:12-17) as his Episcopal motto, asked the congregation present to support him in his ministry with prayer.


“I humbly ask you to pray for the Christian community in the Apostolic Vicariate of Harrar and for me so that God may give me a heart able to love and give consolation to his flock according to the feelings and will of Jesus the good shepherd,” he said.

Bishop Pagano also took time to pray for recently deceased Bishop Yohannes Miglioratti of Hawassa as well as Bishop Angelo Moreschi, Apostolic Vicar of Gambella and Bishop Giorgio Bertini, Bishop of Djibouti and Apostolic Administrator of Somalia who are currently admitted in hospitals receiving medical attention.

Speaking at the same occasion Bishop Emeritus of Apostolic Vicariate of Harar Rt. Rev. Woldetinsae expressed his great joy for passing on the mantle to the new shepherd of Harar. “Today when I pass on my spiritual children all priests, religious women and men and all the faithful to Bishop Angelo, I consider him to be as lucky as I have been all these 29 years that I have worked with you in spreading and witnessing the Good News to the people,” he said.
The New Apostolic Vicar of Harar is welcomed to his Vicariate  
led by the the Apostolic Nuncio of Ethiopia and 
H.E. Cardinal Berhaneyesus of Addis Ababa

Bishop Woldetinsae also recalled some of the challenges that were previously experienced in the Vicariate and appealed to the faithful to continue growing spiritually in prayer saying, “Together we have been through a lot, but with your prayers we have managed and endured the hardship and reached this stage; it is my wish that very soon we will grow even more and I hope to see that day while I am still alive.” Bishop Woldetinsae has served as the Apostolic Vicar of Harar since May 23, 1993.

Bishop Angelo Pagano prior to his appointment as Bishop was serving as a parish priest in the Diocese of Kumbo, Cameroon. He was born on January 15, 1954, in Asmara, Eritrea and ordained priest on June 25, 1988.

Group Photo of Catholic Bishops of Ethiopia
The new Bishop was welcomed to his Vicariate on May 28 at the Diredawa airport by His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus, C.M., and H.E. Archbishop Luigi Bianco, Apostolic Nuncio to Ethiopia, together with the Catholic Bishops of Ethiopia, the Mayor of Diredawa city Administration, Catholic students of Diredawa and hundreds of Catholic faithful and people of good will.

The consecration ceremony was attended by 23 delegates from Cameroon including Archbishop Cornelius Fonteni Esua, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Bamenda and Bishop George Nkuo, Bishop of the Diocese of Kumbo, religious men and women and laity. Also in attendance was Rev. Fr. Peire Mark Desser from Djibouti/Somalia. Government officials and religious leaders extended their best wishes to the Catholic Church in Ethiopia and in Harar. The Apostolic Vicariate of Harrar includes the Harar Regional State, the Diredawa City Administration the Somalia Regional State, part of Afar Regional State and Western Hararghe of Oromiya Regional State under its jurisdiction.


By Makeda Yohannes, CBCE Communications and Public Relation Office, Ethiopia
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TANZANIA: Bishop Libena of Ifakara leads hundreds of Pilgrims to Uganda Martyrs’ Celebrations

June 3, 2016, 7:07 am
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Bishop Libena (third from left) accompanied by 
some other Pilgrims to Namugongo Uganda
Rt. Rev. Salutaris Melchior Libena, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ifakara, Tanzania led 212 pilgrims to this year’s Uganda Martyrs celebration which is held yearly on the 3rd June.

Speaking to AMECEA Online News at the Resurrection Garden in Nairobi, Kenya where they had made a stopover on Tuesday May, 31st  Bishop Libena said that personally he was participating in the Pilgrimage to Uganda for the first time and it was a special occasion for him as he celebrates his Silver Jubilee of Priestly Ordination.

“This is the year of Mercy and one of the things that the Holy Father Pope Francis encourages us to do is to make Pilgrimages whenever we can. This is my 25thyear of Priestly ordination, and together with my friends whom we were ordained together, we decided to go and say thank you to God in one of those important places like the Uganda Martyrs Shrine,” Bishop Libena explained.

Four of his colleagues whom they were ordained together managed to come for the pilgrimage with him. “We were five but unfortunately one of us could not make it due to one reason or the other,” said Bishop Libena who is also the chairman of Liturgy Commission of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference TEC. He said that expectations from the Pilgrimage are to become closer to God and more dedicated to his services for the benefit of people of God.

Bishop Libena said that Pilgrimage is a journey to remind us that we are on the way to God and each one of us needs time to reflect on the journey of his or her faith starting from where he or she comes, where they are going. “When people take time to participate in the journey of faith such as this pilgrimage, they get an opportunities to reflect on faith and become more closer to God,” Bishop Libena said adding that in his diocese, they have made special places for pilgrimage where they encourage Christians from Ifakara Diocese to visit and pray.

Also speaking to AMECEA Online NewsMr. Bartholomew Kyaruzi, the organizing chairman of this year’s pilgrimage said that the annual participation in Uganda Martyrs celebrations began with the Uganda Martyrs Parish in the Archdiocese of Dar-es-Salaam in Magomeni Tanzania. The Parish bears the name of the Uganda Martyrs as patron Saints.

“The first time parishioners made Pilgrimage to Uganda Martyrs Shrine was in 2005 on which 13 people participated in the pilgrimage, among them one priest and one religious sister. Those who made the first pilgrimage upon returning back home shared with others their spiritual experiences which has since motivated more people to join in the pilgrimage,” he said.

Among the 212 people who are participating in this year’s Pilgrimage include one Bishop, 14 Priests, 44 Religious Women, 128 Lay Women and 28 Men of different age groups. They are drawn from nine dioceses in Tanzania which include the Archdiocese of Dar-es-Salaam, Dioceses of Morogoro, Ifakara, Mahenge, Lindi, Mtwara, Iringa, Mbeya and Kigoma.

All the people converged at the Uganda Martyrs Parish in Dar-es-Salaam to start the trip together. They had a nine-day novena for the success of the pilgrimage, receiving the sacraments of confession as well as daily Eucharistic celebrations as a way of preparations.


By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
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UGANDA: Millions of pilgrims gather at Namugongo to celebrate 2016 Uganda Martyrs day

June 3, 2016, 7:13 am
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Following the 2015 historic visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Namugongo Catholic Shrine in Ugandato commemorate the 50th anniversary of the canonization of the Martyrs, millions of enthusiastic pilgrims from across the world have gathered at Namugongo to celebrate the 2016 Uganda Martyrs day which will climax on June 3 and, have a sense of feeling of the Pontiff’s last year’s concluded visit.

This year’s celebration were led by the Diocese of Kiyinda-Mityana on behalf of Kampala Ecclesiastical Province under the theme, “The Truth Will Make You Free” (John 8:32).

According to Fr. Lazarus Kiggundu, the Chairperson of the organizing Committee for the 2016 Martyrs celebration in Kiyinda-Mityana diocese, the pilgrims started arriving at Namugongo on Sunday May 22.

“Many of these pilgrims come from different dioceses from within Uganda and other countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Malawi, Burundi and Zambia among others,” Fr. Kiggundu said. “We expected at least a total of three million pilgrims following the successful visit of the Pope last year.”

Majority of these pilgrims usually walk for days to Namugongo to honor the brave and courageous spirit exemplified by the martyrs who died for the sake of Christ. During these journey pilgrims recite the rosary and novena and invoke the names of the Martyrs to intercede for them in overcoming the challenges they face in their daily lives.

Kiyinda-Mityana diocese last led the Martyrs Day celebrations in 1994 which was shortly after the visit of Pope John Paul II to Uganda 1993.

The annual celebration, which is marked every June 3, commemorates the heroic faith of the 45
Martyrs, both Catholic and Anglican, who were burnt to death on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II, the then king of Buganda between 1885 and 1887.  Twenty two Catholic Martyrs were beatified on June 6, 1920, by Pope Benedict XV, and on October 18, 1964, Pope Paul VI canonized them as Saints. 

In addition to the Catholic Martyrs, there are two Catechists from Paimol: Blessed Daudi Okelo and Blessed Gildo Irwa who were killed in 1918. The two catechists were beatified by John Paul II on October 20, 2002. Of the twenty two Martyrs who were canonized, four of them including St. Noa Mawaggali, St. Matthias Mulumba, St. Luke Baanabakintu and St. Ambrose Kibuuka came from Singo County Kiyinda-Mityana diocese.  

Meanwhile security has been beefed up within and outside the premises by the anti-terrorism unit of the Uganda Police to ensure peaceful celebration.


By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
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SOUTH SUDAN: UNHCR and FAO join efforts to enhance refugees’ food security

June 10, 2016, 5:09 am
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The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) have contributed over 100 tons of crop seeds, hand tools and fishing kits to two hundred thousand refugees and host communities across South Sudan.

The two Agencies distributed the items to refugees and local communities in Unity, Upper Nile, Jonglei and Equatoria States. According to UNHCR highlights, the agencies aim at helping the people to become self-sufficient in the country.

Meanwhile, Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative Fund availed ten scholarships for refugees in South Sudan. The scholarship is meant to enable refugees study at universities, colleges and polytechnics abroad.

This program serves as a foundation for social and professional development and allows students to build careers in competitive fields of employment.

The Fund did not mention when the scholarship will start and the necessary procedures needed to get the opportunity.

Source: CRN
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KENYA: KCCB appoints a Deputy General Secretary

June 10, 2016, 5:40 am
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New Deputy General Secretary of KCCB Rev. Fr. Lukas Ongesa
 (center)  being introduced by  KCCB General Secretary 
Rev. Fr. Daniel Rono (right) to Waumini 
Communications Ltd. Director Mr. David Omwoyo (left)
The Permanent Council of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has appointed Rev. Fr. Lucas Ongesa Manwa, from the Diocese of Kisii, as the Deputy General Secretary (DGS).

According to a Memo signed by the General Secretary Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Rono, Fr. Ongesa joined the secretariat in the month of June, 2016.

Fr. Rono in his letter copied to the KCCB Chairman Rt. Rev. Philip Anyolo and Principal Administrator Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa, requested the employees of the Catholic Secretariat to accord the new DGS maximum support and assistance in his new assignment.

During the official introduction to the KCCB departments and to the staff members, Fr. Ongesa expressed delight and gratitude to the Bishops for appointing him to work at the secretariat and also to the employees for warm welcome. He also called for collaboration and commitment for the good of all the people of God and of  true witness to the gospel.

Ordained in the year 2001, Fr. Lucas Ongesa has served as a Parish Priest at Kisii Cathedral and Our Lady of Perpetua Ichuni Parish. In 2011 he went to Pontifical Lateran University in Rome for further studies which he completed in February, 2016.

By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications, KCCB
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ZAMBIA: Caritas Condemns Illicit Trade in Wildlife and calls for joint effort to care for the environment

June 10, 2016, 5:48 am
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Caritas Zambia has expressed concern that people charged with the responsibility of protecting the wildlife are encouraging illegal trade through dubious deals and issuance of hunting licenses as well as concessions on timber.

In a message issued by Caritas Zambia to mark World Environment Day which falls on June 5, the Acting Director, Mr. Eugene Kabilika, appealed for necessary measures aimed at protecting mother earth by stopping all forms of burning, cutting of trees, poisoning nature and environment.

Mr. Eugene Kabilika, 
Acting Director, Caritas Zambia
“Curbing illegal wildlife trade should not be done in isolation. It should be part of the larger program of caring for the environment that prioritizes equity for the benefit of Zambians, especially the communities living near game management areas and forests” Kabilika said.

He added that his Organization believes that the protection of wildlife should be for every Zambian. “We call for zero tolerance towards illegal wild life trade. The fight against destruction of natural forest and killing of wildlife cannot be a reality if our current trends of consumption and damaging of the earth continue. The rate of poaching and cutting of trees exceeds the natural regeneration of the population of animals and trees thereby pushing threatened species to extinction.”

He further explained that engaging local communities to care for wildlife is recognized as a key approach to tackling the illegal wildlife trade adding that as long as communities in Zambia, especially those living near game management areas and forests, do not see these resources as their own and devoid of their local economy; poaching and indiscriminate cutting of trees will continue.

“We need to design programs that will support alternative livelihoods of communities living in these areas and also make the economic value of wildlife to be part of the community’s local economy,” this he said will turn such communities into game rangers.

Meanwhile, Kabilika also condemned effects of large scale agricultural activities as well as mining, which he said are known to be the largest contributors to the destruction of biodiversity and eco-systems.

“The use of pesticides and clearance of large areas of forests renders the soils bare and polluted and in the case of mining completely unusable. Although in the short term mining and large scale farming may present themselves as solution to increased economic growth, the cost involved to sustain such practices are high both in economic and environmental terms” He explained.

He reiterated Pope Francis’ request to nourish and sustain the earth, so that it can in turn nourish and sustain humanity.

By Mwenya Mukuka, ZEC Communications Officer
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UGANDA: Joint Christian Council condemns the integration of Comprehensive Sexuality Education as a curriculum

June 10, 2016, 5:57 am
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From left: Most Rev. John Baptist Odama Chairmam of UEC
and Catholic Archbishop of Gulu, Most Rev. Stanly Ntagali, 
Chairman of UJCC and Archbishop of the Church of Uganda,
 and Most Rev. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, Co-chairman of UJCC
 Catholic Archbishop of Kampala during the UJCC meeting


The Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) has condemned the unilateral move of introducing the so-called Comprehensive Sexuality Education in the Secondary School curriculum as it has components that undermine the teachings and core values of the church.

“UJCC Assembly noted with concern the introduction of the so-called Comprehensive Sexuality Education, which has already been introduced in some schools, including church founded schools, without due consultations with the foundation bodies and an approved curriculum,” the UJCC Executive Secretary, Rev. Fr. Silvester Arinaitwe Rwomukubwe, said adding that the assembly has directed its Secretariat to engage the government and all other stakeholders with a view of finding a lasting solution to the matter for the good of the children and the youth.

Fr. Arinaitwe was addressing the press at Jevine Hotel in Kampala during the closing ceremony of the UJCC annual meeting that was held on June 2, a day prior to the 2016 Uganda Martyrs Day celebration. The meeting was held under the theme ‘‘Striving for Greatness through Servanthood” (Mathew 23.11).

Group photo of the participants of the 
Uganda Joint Christian Council  (UJCC)
Government through the Ministry of Education and Sports/National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) and the United Nations Population Fund, initiated the curriculum process review in March 2012 to integrate and eventually institutionalize comprehensive sexuality education for young people both in and out of schools with a view of reducing teenage pregnancies and HIV infections.

According to the two stakeholders the curriculum development process provides a unique opportunity and entry point for addressing current and emerging issues in adolescent sexual and reproductive health and improving the health and quality of life of young people.

The assembly was attended by the Archbishops, Bishops, Clergy women and men and lay persons who are members of the Council all drawn from the Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox Churches from the 17 regions of the country.

The Council Chairperson Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali who is the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, together with the Co-chairperson Most Rev. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, Catholic Archbishop of Kampala, and representatives of Kampala Metropolitan were in attendance.

Meanwhile, the religious leaders also condemned the rampant culture of irresponsible consumption of alcohol, drug abuse and gambling especially among the youth, the inhuman treatment being meted out by the security forces against opposition political leaders and their supporters and, called for sensitization of the public on the proposed Islamic banking.

“Due to these matters arising, the assembly called upon the government to tighten the laws with a view to address the unregulated production and consumption of alcohol as well as drug abuse to safeguard the family. They also tasked UJCC secretariat to engage the government to use dialogue and exercise restraint to reduce the current tension in the country as well as to spearhead the mobilization of the entire Christian community in the country to address the Islamic banking issue and engage all the stake holders including the government,” Fr. Arinaitwe explained.

The assembly further expressed concern about the minimal nature of constitutional and electoral reforms that were undertaken in the run-up to the 2016 General Elections thus, asked UJCC Secretariat to continue engaging the government, political parties and other stakeholders on the issue of comprehensive electoral reforms based on adequate consultation.

By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
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KENYA: Catholic Bishops maintain their position against non-certified vaccines

June 10, 2016, 6:18 am
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Chairman of Catholic Health Commission Rt. Rev. Paul Kariuki 
(left)  accompanied by Vice Chairman of the Commission 
Rt. Rev. Joseph Mbatia  answering questions from
 the press in regard with the Church's 
stand on Vaccination campaigns
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Health Commission has once again voiced its opposition to the continued immunization campaigns spearheaded by the Ministry of Health. The Commission maintains that there is no cause for alarm hence the campaigns are unnecessary.

In an interview with the media, The Chairman of Catholic Health Commission of Kenya Rt. Rev Paul Kariuki Njiru said that targeting women between the age of 14 and 49 years of age raises suspicion on what could be the agenda of the government in collaboration with UNICEF and WHO.

Bishop Kariuki who is the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Embu further condemned the use of force during the vaccination campaigns. He lamented that out of the nine samples of Tetanus Toxoid vaccine (TT) tested in 2014, three were found to be laced with Beta human chorionic gonadotropin (b-HCG) sub unit which has been previously used in similar programs in Philippines, Nicaragua and Mexico to vaccinate women against future pregnancy.

“The danger is enormous, and we cannot play it down. Why vaccinate women within the child bearing age? When the generation is destroyed we will regret.” He said warning that there could be a possible collusion between the government and foreign agencies to control the population of Kenya.

Bishop Kariuki emphasised that the Church is a major player in the health sector with extensive network of health facilities that include 58 hospitals, 83 health centres, 311 dispensaries and 17 medical training institutions and hence the need to protect the lives of Kenyans by ensuring that vaccines are well tested by a committee of experts from the government and stakeholders before they are administered to the public clarifying that the Church is not against the regular vaccinations administered in hospitals.

Adding his voice to these concerns, the Commission’s Vice-Chairman Rt. Rev. Joseph Mbatia who is the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Nyahururu questioned the secret behind the vaccinations such that the government cannot reveal to the Church and other stakeholders “Why the secret, they choose their own people to give it, and after it has been given they take back the remains and no one can access them,” he observed

The Bishops urged the government to facilitate the committee of experts commissioned in 2014 to test any vaccine and ascertain its safety before administering to the public, they also called upon parents to take up their responsibility of ensuring that their children are given the right vaccines.

By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications, KCCB

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MALAWI: Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office and Center for Social Concern lobby for better working conditions for workers

June 10, 2016, 7:00 am
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The Episcopal Conference of Malawi through its Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office (CPLO), in conjunction with the Center for Social Concern (CFSC) recently organized an interface meeting with Members of Parliament (MPS) including Chairpersons of Parliamentary Committees to advocate and lobby for improved working conditions of tenants on farms.

CPLO officer, Rev. Fr. Henry Chinkanda said the interface meeting which was held at Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe under the theme “Dignity of human labor with special emphasis on the plight of tenants on farms” was in line with the Catholic Social Teaching.

“Basically, the aim of the interface was to advocate and lobby for improved working conditions of tenants, a fact that necessitates a legislation that would protect and safeguard this group of workers who in most cases work under undignified conditions particularly on the farms,” said Fr. Chinkanda.

Rev. Fr. Henry Chinkanda, 
ECM Parliamentary Liaison Officer
He said the effort was initiated way back in 1992 and later picked up by the Center for Social Concern (CFSC) and Malawi Confederation of Trade Union (MCTU). Spearheading the reflection for day, Fr. Henry Chinkanda, emphasized that one of the mostly cherished principles of the Church is ‘Option for the Poor’- sometimes referred to as ‘preferential option for the poor’ as Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical, titled Rerum Novarum outlines.

“Already in 1891, Rerum Novarum was a groundbreaking social encyclical that addressed the dehumanizing working conditions of many workers, particularly that of tenants. To this effect, the encyclical affirms workers’ rights to just wages, rest – holidays and fair treatment,” said Fr. Chinkanda, adding that “It is the duty of the State to facilitate Distributive Justice so that workers – tenants can adequately support their families and someday own property of their own”

He said poor tenants have a special claim to consideration and passing the long due awaited Tenancy Bill would alleviate the plight most of them are going through in the country.

According to Fr. Chinkanda, It is important to note that both the employer and employee need each other hence Capital or employer cannot do without labor or employee or vice versa.

“There is need for mutual agreement which results into good order which can only be enhanced when employees faithfully and honestly perform the work they have freely agreed to do while the employers have the duty of respecting the dignity of their workers, not treating them as indentured labor or simply a factor of production, but remembering that working for a living is an honorable thing,” he said.

The Center for Social Concern’s Fr. Jos Kuppens said among others working conditions, wages and treatment of most tenants in this country, particularly those working in farms are not up to standards.

By Prince Henderson, ECM Communications Officer

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KENYA: Mombasa Metropolitan to set up two Community Radio Stations

June 10, 2016, 7:05 am
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The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) through Waumini Communications is working towards establishing Catholic Community Radio Stations in the Coast Region of the country.

According to Waumini Communications Managing Director Mr. David Omwoyo, the two stations will support the Archdiocese of Mombasa and the Diocese of Malindi to promote peace-building and local development as well as provide a platform to counter the rampant radicalization of youth in the coastal region.

Mombasa Archbishop Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva and Bishop of the Diocese of Malindi Rt. Rev. Emanuel Barbara have welcomed the initiative and termed it as long-overdue.

Bishop Barbara affirmed that radio will be a useful platform to promote peace and unity which are critical elements of economic development in the region. The Bishop said the radio will give more attention to local development and will serve as a platform for local people to participate in national dialogues.

These radio projects are envisaged in the Waumini Communications strategic plan 2016- 2020 with the view to have 20 radio stations across the Country.


By Catholic Mirror Team, Waumini Communications KCCB
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ETHIOPIA: Catholic University is set to operate from its own Premises by February 2017

June 10, 2016, 7:23 am
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H.E. Cardinal Berhaneyesus blesses 
the completed part of new premises
 for the Catholic University 
Campus in Addis Ababa
The Ethiopian Catholic University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (ECUSTA) is set to begin operating from its own premises by February 2017. The construction of the premises is currently underway and was recently blessed by H.E. Berhaneyesus Cardinal D. Souraphiel, C.M., the university chancellor and Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa.

The University which has been operating from a rental premises since it was founded in September 2005 inauguration is constructing a university campus on a 600,000 square kilometers land in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. The newly constructed premises are envisioned to initially accommodate science faculties such as medicine and different fields of engineering in accordance to the national developmental goals of the Ethiopia.

A view of one of completed premises of the Catholic University
While blessing the completed part of the construction, His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus, recalled the role played by the Catholic Church in Ethiopia in founding the first universities in the country and also the contribution the Catholic Church has spearheaded toward the growth of modern education.

“The Addis Ababa University and the Holy Family University in Asmara were the first steps taken towards accessing higher education locally and they were both founded by the Catholic Church. We have been providing quality education to our society for years and now through ECUSTA we will continue providing the same to our people,” he said.

The Cardinal also stressed that the success of ECUSTA will greatly depend on the quality of teaching staff and competitive student
H.E. Cardinal Berhaneyesus admires part 
of the uncompleted premises of the Catholic University
s and said that the Church is preparing for the task while construction is going on.

“We have many schools throughout the country that are giving primary and secondary education and the students are well prepared to attend tertiary education in a high standard university such as ECUSTA, moreover, we are also preparing local professors who are now at different institutions studying for their doctoral degrees,” Cardinal Berhaneyesus said.

President of ECUSTA Rev. Fr. Tekle Meconnen said that they are planning to begin admitting students in the field of Prenatal Medicine in February 2017 at the newly constructed premises. He further explained that the constructions will be completed in phases while the learning-teaching process is going on. ECUSTA plans to begin with 5000 students per year and increase the number gradually.

The University was founded by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Ethiopia following a request by the late Meles Zenawi, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia to Pope John Paul II, now Saint, when the late Prime minister visited the Vatican in 1997. Currently ECUSTA offers Laboratory Science, Social Works and IT courses in two campuses.

By Makeda Yohannes, CBCE Communications and Public Relation Office, Ethiopia
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SECAM: AMECEA participates in the CEPACS Workshop on Engaging Modern Means of Communications for promoting Evangelization

June 10, 2016, 7:49 am
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Group Photo of Participants of CEPAC Workshop/Meeting
 held in Accra Ghana together with Apostolic 
Nuncio to Ghana H.E. Most Rev. Jean-Marie Speich

AMECEA Chairman of Social Communications Department Rt. Rev Charles Kasonde was among the participants of the workshop cum meeting on engaging the modern means of communications for promoting Evangelization in Africa with particular reference to Justice, Peace, Reconciliation and Development. The workshop/meeting was organized by CEPACS, which is the communication department of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and was held in Accra, Ghana from 6-9 June 2016.

Bishop Kasonde who is also the Bishop of Solwezi, Zambia, was accompanied by Rev Fr. Chrisantus Ndaga, the AMECEA Social Communications Department Coordinator to the meeting which attracted participants from all the Regional Conferences in Africa.

Participants of CEPACS Workshop/Meeting during the sessions
In the opening remarks, Most Rev Emmanuel Louis Portella-Mbuyu, Bishop of Kinkala (Congo DR) who is the First Vice-President of SECAM asked the participants to help the Church build bridges across the continent by reduce communication gaps and coming up with resolutions that will help SECAM excel in matters of communications.

At the same event the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev Jean-Marie Speich said that the Holy Father is following SECAM activities with much interest, and is eagerly waiting for the fruits of the next plenary of SECAM in Angola.

He said, “SECAM is about to celebrate 50 years of its existence, yet it is very unfortunate that it has not reached the adulthood stage, I would put it that, it is still in the teenage stage; a stage whereby one struggles to look for his or her identity,” he said adding that “I do believe that after the plenary in Angola SECAM will come out as an adult to be able to realize its identity.”

Referring to the Africae Munus document no. 142 which says “The Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Africa saw the modern media not only as means of communication, but themselves a world to be evangelized…..”, the Apostolic Nuncio echoed the message by saying that Media must also be evangelized if they want to be relevant to the service of the Church and the society today.

Giving a vote of thanks remarks on behalf of the participants, Bishop Kasonde expressed gratitude to the Apostolic Nuncio for his attendance which is a sign of collegiality and solidarity with the Holy See, for his observation and challenges he posed to SECAM. He said that these challenges will be taken as opportunities towards building the better future of SECAM. “Your advice is the opportunity for grace and growth; we will table them as agenda for this meeting,” he said.

Meanwhile Rt. Rev Emmanuel Badejo, Bishop of Oyo Nigeria, who is the Chairman of CEPACS, also thanked the Apostolic Nuncio for the words of hope. He said that the meeting had been organized purposely in order to set new plans for improving social communication activities in the continent. “We cannot change the past but let us learn from it to better the future,” he said.

The good will messages were also given by Ms. Petra Stammen from CAMECO who commended Rt. Rev Emmanuel Badejo for his appointment as the Chairman of CEPACS as she thinks that his appointment will bring new spirit to the office.

By AMECEA Online News Reporter


Below is the Communique issued at the end of the Meeting of the Pan-African Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS) held at SECAM Secretariat, Accra, Ghana from June 6-9, 2016 under the theme: Engaging the Modern Means of Communications for promoting Evangelisation in Africa with particular reference to Justice, Peace, Reconciliation and Development


We, participants at the meeting of the Pan-African Episcopal Committee of Social Communications (CEPACS) comprising regional Chairmen of Social Communications with the attendance of Secretaries of Communications, Catholic Media Council (CAMECO), SIGNIS-Africa, the Union of Africa Catholic Press (UCAP), the Catholic News Agency for Africa and resource persons, having deliberated on issues concerning social communications of the Church in Africa, issue the following communique:

1.     Appreciation

We thank the Holy Father, Pope Francis, for his message on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of World Communications Day, which was reiterated by the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Archbishop Jean-Marie Speich, reminding us of the power of communication “to build bridges, to enable encounter and inclusion, and thus to enrich society.”

We are grateful to the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi, who was represented by the first Vice-President of SECAM, Bishop Louis Portella-Mbuyu,for having emphasised the important role that Social Communications play in the evangelization mission of the Church.

We received goodwill messages from the Catholic Media Council (CAMECO), SIGNIS Africa, and the Union of Africa Catholic Press (UCAP).

2.     Revival of CEPACS

We support the new Chairman of CEPACS Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, Bishop of Oyo, Nigeria, for reviving CEPACS. We therefore pledge our commitment to keep CEPACS dynamic as the umbrella body for the animation, coordination, formation and training of media practitioners at all levels. We wish that this spirit of commitment and dedication is extended to all the regional Bishops’ Conferences on our continent.

3.     SECAM Departments

Through the presentation of the activities from the various offices of SECAM Secretariat, we acknowledge with appreciation their efforts in evangelisation for the good of the Church on the continent. We urge SECAM to affirm the policy of mandating all the offices of SECAM Secretariat to include media and publicity components in all their projects and programs.

4.     Collaboration with Regional and National Social Communications Offices

Following the revival of CEPACS, we appeal for closer collaboration and cooperation between the continental social communications office and the various regional and national communication offices. To this effect, we urge all Bishops’ Conferences to revitalize their Social Communications offices so as to meet the needs of the communication apostolate for evangelisation.

The redesigned SECAM website now offers the opportunity for regional and national conferences as well as other interested parties in Africa to collaborate in new ways through the domain secam.org OR sceam.org. We encourage all interested parties to visit the site and apply for membership.

5.     The Catholic News Agency for Africa (CANAA)

We recognise the good service being undertaken by the Catholic News Agency for Africa (CANAA), a project of SECAM, through its biweekly online Newsletter. We appeal to the Church leadership in Africa and all people of good will to support this laudable project. Free subscription can be obtained by emailing: canaa.coordinator@gmail.com

6.     SECAM Information and Documentation

We commend SECAM for the initiative it has taken to improve its information and documentation Centre. We ask regional and national conferences to adopt a policy of systematic record keeping and information management.

7.     Call on all Catholic Media Professionals and Practitioners

We commend Catholic media professionals and practitioners throughout our continent for all they are doing for the betterment of society. We call on them to witness to their faith with courage through their activities for the evangelisation mission of the Church in Africa.

Conclusion
As we conclude this meeting, we appreciate the hospitality of the Secretary General and staff of SECAM who have made us feel so welcome.

We invoke the Holy Spirit who inspired the Blessed Virgin Mary, the star of evangelisation, to inspire our effort and grant us success. Our Lady of Africa, Pray for us!

Most Rev. Emmanuel A. Badejo

President of CEPACS & Bishop of Oyo, Nigeria
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MALAWI: CADECOM appeals for more support to help it battle Famine in the country

June 10, 2016, 8:39 am
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The Catholic Development Commission of Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), (CADECOM) is calling for more support worldwide in order to combat the Famine problem the country is facing. 

According to the Director of CADECOM, Carsten Mulume, the commission needs the support of partners to provide support to starving families which their number is growing. Apart from this; he was urging the people to focus more on sustainable agriculture as it is one of the strategies that would help them alleviate the problem.

Speaking to the AMECEA Online correspondent, one member among the families affected  said,
“It is so terrible this year because we don’t have enough food to eat. Children are becoming malnourished and they are not able to go to school.”

Various reports state that almost four millions of Malawians are battling against severe famine due to scarce or no harvests caused by the El Nino and drought effects.  

It is estimated that the number of hungry people is expected to rise to eight million (which is exactly half of the population of the country) by December 2016 if no strategic steps are taken to combat the problem.

In the meantime, food prices continue to rise as Malawi’s Kwacha continues to lose value forcing the poorest families to further reduce their already precarious number of daily meals, or sell goods in order to make ends meet. 

According to a report by World Food Program (WFP) of May, 2016 most parts in Southern Africa will have poor harvest because this year was one of the driest year in history of the region; the area mentioned includescentral and southern Malawi.

Shortage of food has led food prices to rise taking also into consideration that the Malawi’s
Kwacha continues to lose value. Already some families by now live on one meal a day due to the inability to cope with the food prices in the country.“The current price of a 50kg bag of maize is almost 13 USD against the ordinary price of 2 USD. In a country whose citizens live below 1 USD, it tells you how worse the situation is,” read part of the report.



By Prince Henderson is the Communications Officer for the ECM
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TANZANIA: ‘Be brave to face the Challenges of life’ - Apostolic Nuncio Padilla tells Religious

June 17, 2016, 7:47 am
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The Outgoing Apostolic Nuncio to Tanzania Most Rev Francisco Montecillo Padilla has asked religious sisters to be brave enough to face the challenges they face in their lives. 

Archbishop Padilla was bidding farewell to Women Religious Superiors ((TCAS) during their annual meeting that was held recently at TEC, Kurasini centre in Dar es Salaam, before he takes his new responsibility as Apostolic Nuncio to Kuwait. 

Most Rev Padilla said that his five-year mission in Tanzania has given him extensive experience through pastoral visits he made in various dioceses. He also thanked for the cooperation and sincere love that he received from them during his mission in the country, adding that he is not an angel and therefore apologized to those whom he did not meet their expectations.

He said that nuns are called to be compassionate as the Heavenly Father is, and to heal the wounds of the society around them bringing them together in God's mercy.

He has asked them to help each other in solving their problems instead of condemning each other or leave someone to suffer alone. "A nun in your communities should not be left alone as she faces some problems, instead she should be helped; it has to be a task of the whole community to solve it," said Archbishop Padilla.

He said the Holy Jubilee year of the Divine Mercy provides an invitation to every male and female religious to devout himself or herself to the service of God’s people all over the world.

“The Divine Mercy emphasizes dialogue and discussion in discerning the various challenges of your communities," he said.

The apostolic nuncio asked for their prayers as he takes his new mission in the Arab countries.

By: Adeline Berchimance, Dar es salaam


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ZAMBIA: ZEC provides accommodation to abused orphans and vulnerable children of Monze diocese

June 17, 2016, 8:06 am
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The Health Desk of Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has rescued some orphans and vulnerable children in Monze Diocese who were being abused by adults taking advantages of them due to the lack of proper accommodation in schools. 

The girls are among the 20 Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) that have since been accommodated at the Catholic Church run City of Joy in Mazabuka town.   

ZEC Coordinator of the project Sister Matildah Mubanga, DOR who confirmed the provision of the accommodation centre to the girls said that some girls were renting small shelters in villages as they went to school and that exposed them to abuse.

Sr. Mubanga added that World Vision Zambia, through the Empowerment, Respect and Equality Project (ERE) has since started supporting them in school. “These Children come from disadvantaged families and were suffering in the community. It was not safe for them because they were renting in small shelters in villages as they go to school,” she said.

“The girls that were abused are now being counseled, and where they are now is a good place because they will be disciplined and raised with good morals. I am sure they shall be responsible girls” said Sr. Mubanga.

The City of Joy OVC Coordinator Sister Marie-Clair Mwenya, FMA indicated that the project so far is working well. “This programme is working very well in helping girls with education in colleges and secondary schools. Without it, it could have been difficult for them to complete their studies," she said adding that "The city of Joy accommodate all girls without discrimination.”   


By Mwenya Mukuka, ZEC Communications Officer
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SOUTH SUDAN: Catholic Bishops are concerned about the influx of firearms in the hands of young people

June 17, 2016, 8:09 am
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The Catholic Bishops of South Sudan have expressed concern over the influx of firearms in the hands of many civilians and especially young people, the majority of who have been working in the army and other national security services. In their Pastoral letter issued on Thursday, June 16 at the end of their two-days meeting held in Juba, the Bishops called upon the relevant authorities to put an end to the violence in the country.

“We abhor the fact that thousands of young men are carrying arms when we don't have enough money to provide basic services to our own people; this is a misuse of our national resources. We are appalled to hear reports that there are still many child soldiers. We beg that the lives of our children be spared; let them prepare for their future through education rather than being trapped in violence,” read part of the Pastoral Communique, which was sent to AMECEA Online News.

Referring to the recent death of a medical missionary doctor, Sr. Veronica, Thereasia Rackova, who was allegedly shot by the military personnel, while on her way to respond to a medical emergency the bishops said that “Attacking a medical personnel is a war crime and crime against humanity.”

“We wish to challenge the militaristic culture in South Sudan, where even civilians carry assault rifles,” the bishops said as they condemned the arms trade which provides these weapons and stressed on the need for peaceful disarmament of civilians.

“Truly the current Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) is not the same army which protected and liberated us between 1983 and 2005. We are deeply concerned that many of these armed men appear to be poorly disciplined, poorly trained, poorly led, poorly educated militia, preying on the population, rather than a disciplined force protecting the people,” the statement further said adding that many of the officers are militia leaders, not professionally-trained soldiers.

They urged the formation of a single professional national army that South Sudanese can be proud of, and which will defend their borders against external enemies rather than killing their own brothers and sisters. “We are saddened that many crimes are reportedly committed by armed men connected with the SPLA and other national security organs, and we note that they are rarely brought to justice. Where is the rule of law? As a nation we should be ashamed,” the Bishops’ statement said.

Meanwhile The Bishops welcomed the signing of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan and are encouraged by the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity and urged South Sudanese to rise above negativity by shunning hate speech and tribalism on the internet and social media, and instead spread constructive peaceful messages.

“Stop propagating rumours, gossip, misinformation and disinformation. Stop attacking and accusing each other, stop pursuing narrow personal and tribal interests, but instead work together for the good of the nation. Be ready to compromise for peace and for the common good. Stop seeing everything in its most negative light. Stop preparing for war; move with the times into the new culture of peace and reconciliation,” the statement said.

The Bishops once again re-commit themselves and our Church to play their part, in their own work and through our South Sudan Council of Churches' three-pillared Action Plan for Peace: Advocacy, Neutral Forums and Reconciliation. “The Church alone cannot bring peace and reconciliation to South Sudan, but we pledge to be leaders in this role, encouraging all other people of good will,” the Bishops said adding that there is no other national institution that can take on this leadership role and therefore they humbly accept the burden of that responsibility.

By AMECEA Online News Correspondent
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ETHIOPIA: Farmers to increase productivity and income through the newly established irrigation project

June 17, 2016, 8:13 am
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Rt. Rev. Abraham Desta, Apostolic Vicar of Meki
 Officially Opens the Dam

The Ethiopian Catholic Church Social and Development Commission Coordinating Office of Meki (ECC SDCOM) in collaboration with Oxfam Intermon has established an irrigation scheme project worth 3 million Euros atAzezera Beredu Kebele of Arsi Zone that will support about 1200 families.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony Rt. Rev. Abraham Desta of the Apostolic Vicariate of Meki Ethiopia said that development is not something that is achieved with one process but it is an ongoing effort that needs the united effort of all parties involved.

He said that the Church in Ethiopia always strives to achieve integral human development through her pastoral and development works and also by creating networks among the beneficiaries and the donor agencies.

“They say Rome was not built in a day, so our effort for development does not stop here. Today we have inaugurated this irrigation scheme that will support about 1200 families using the water nature has provided to the community but the water has a potential to irrigate more land,” he said adding that “after the inauguration we must start thinking about the expansion work and reaching more beneficiary households.”

The project has the potential to irrigate about 450 hectares of land. Apart from irrigation the project also includes Women Saving and Credit Cooperative.

The community was depending on rain fed agriculture for living, but now with the irrigation system, the community would be able to harvest more than 3 times a year, significantly increasing the annual income of every beneficiary household as they now can produce adequate produce, enough for market beyond their own consumption.

For such a rural community, increased income would not only mean fewer burdens on women and children in a household but it would also allow children to attend school properly making them more successful citizens. This in turn contributes to the growth of the community and the development of the country.

Representative of the FDRE Charities and Societies Agency Mr. Thomas, on the occasion appreciated the work of the Ethiopian Catholic Church Social and Development Commission in supporting the rural community and assured them of the agency’s continued collaboration in other development projects.

“Our agency is always pleased when we witness the funds received from donor agencies put to a good use for the developmental needs of the rural community, we commend the achievements of the Catholic Church in all her efforts for integral human development and we assure you our continued collaboration,” said Mr. Thomas.

By Makeda Yohannes, CBCE Communications and Public Relation Office, Ethiopia
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UGANDA: Catholic Bishops caution government and security agencies on arrests of opposition leaders and supporters

June 17, 2016, 8:19 am
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Archbishop Odama (extreme left) addresses the press as the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, H.E. Michael August Blume (centre), the Archbishop of Kampala, Most. Rev. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, the Bishop of Lira, Rt. Rev. Joseph Franzelli, the Bishop of Arua, Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki follow the proceeding

The Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) has expressed concern over the numerous arrests of opposition leaders and supporters and violent clashes among members of the population, especially between the opposition and security agencies following the announcement of the presidential election results in February, 2016.

The Catholic Bishops noted that many of these people (opposition leaders and supporters) are not being given the justice that the laws of Uganda prescribe.

“The highhanded treatment of political opponents and the arrests of their supporters no doubt breed feelings of injustice and intolerance, especially when Uganda is still grappling with nurturing its young multiparty political system. We would like to emphasize that political parties remain fundamental pillars of democracy and therefore lawful political activities should be respected,” read the statement that was issued on Tuesday, June 14 by the Chairman of UEC, Most. Rev. John Baptist Odama, Archbishop of Gulu on behalf of the bishops.

They also called upon the opposition leaders to ensure that they operate within the limits of the law, and to respect the rights of every Ugandan.

The statement was agreed upon in the Bishops’ plenary meeting, which took place from June 6-10, 2016 in Kampala. During the meeting they discussed many issues concerning the Catholic Church in Uganda, including the concerns of the people regarding the political tension in the country after the 2016 general elections.

Archbishop Odama addresses members of the press
 at a recent press conference that was held at 
the Catholic Secretariat.
The Bishops further challenged the government to put into practice the message that Pope Francis delivered to the Government Authorities and Diplomatic Corps at State House, Entebbe, shortly after his arrival on November 27, 2015.

“Pope Francis described the Uganda Martyrs, both Catholics and Anglicans, as true national heroes who, among many other things, remind us that, despite our different beliefs and convictions, all of us are called to seek the truth, to work for justice and reconciliation, and to respect, protect and help one another as members of our one human family. In fact, the Pope’s words and his presence among us gave us hope that we could go through the incoming elections in a new spirit of unity, mutual respect, freedom and peace,” he explained.

Prior to the general elections, the Bishops released two pastoral letters that urged all Ugandans, including state agencies, to work for peace before, during and after elections. However, they noted that after the previous various sets of elections in Uganda, despite what appeared to be a generally peaceful electoral environment, it is evident that a situation of uncertainty continues to hover over many parts of our Country.

“Many people appear to be unhappy, discouraged and bitter, as if hope for a better and a more united country had been lost,” Archbishop Odama said adding that. “The road towards Uganda’s political and leadership challenges are clearly stipulated in the preamble of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. The preamble underscores our concerted efforts and further commitment to building a better future by establishing a socio-economic and political order through a popular and durable national constitution based on principles of unity, peace, equality, democracy, freedom, social justice and progress.”

They warned the judiciary over the indirect pressure put on them by the government which is being used to solve disputes that ordinarily require a political solution as opposed to legal interventions. According to the Bishops the judiciary should exercise the independence expected of it under Article 126 of the Constitution and to dispense justice without fear and favor so that justice is not only done but seen to be done.

The bishops further said there was unnecessary clampdown on fundamental human rights and freedoms citing an example of the nationwide shutting down of social media and subsequently banning of the press from reporting certain political activities.

“A free media is a sign of free and democratic society, which the government must respect as a partner institution in strengthening democratic governance,” Archbishop Odama stated.

Meanwhile, the UEC made several proposals and recommendations to the new government, the parliament of Uganda, the judiciary as a template of justice and the citizens of Uganda. They appealed to the new government to respect the rule of law and constitutionalism as key pillars for democratic governance and urged all political leaders to explore democratic dialogue for the electorate to discuss their grievances openly at various levels as a strategy to promote political accountability.

To the new Parliament, they urged them to consider undertaking the needed constitutional reforms as one of their priority tasks and to enact laws which are just and do not undermine or contradict the traditional or Christian values for the protection of life and marriage, as in the case of abortion and divorce. While they called upon all citizens to maintain law and order and desist from any form of violence.

They also recommended that the various stakeholders start dialogue on some of the key governance questions with a view of arriving at consensus on issues such as: the composition of the Electoral Commission; reinstating of the term limits and continuous dialogue between the ruling party and the opposition political parties.

By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
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MALAWI: CAFOD leaves us stronger, we have enough capacity to move on, ECM Secretary General says

June 17, 2016, 8:23 am
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 The secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) Rev. Fr. Henry Saindi, PhD, has expressed great confidence in their capacity to carry on with the programs that the Catholic Agency For Overseas Development CAFOD initiated in Malawi. CAFOD, which has been in Malawi for over 20 years is currently phasing out its programs in Malawi and other African countries where their sister organizations such as Trócaire are operating.

“CAFOD is handing over the projects to other partners. They would like to narrow down the number of countries they support so that they are not seen to spread thinly,” Fr. Saindi told AMECEA Online News.

Among the programs CAFOD has been collaborating with Malawi includes Sustainable Livelihoods - Agriculture and Food Security; Economic Governance and Policy review and citizen participation; Home Based Care and HIV programs as well as Humanitarian programs.

Rev. Fr. Henry Saindi, PhD, 
Secretary General ECM
Fr. Saindi said that the programs supported by CAFOD in Malawi have had tremendous impact in the communities throughout the country. “I recall the 2004/2005 hunger period in Malawi when CAFOD assisted ECM with funds to distribute food as well as planting materials. The humanitarian programs have enabled us to reduce the food gap and save lives of Malawians in times of dire need.”

The governance programs supported by CAFOD enabled the Bishops’ Conference to build capacity of ECM Secretariat staff as well as communities in order to engage in effective/evidence based advocacy. “This has resulted in holding duty bearers to account and provide relevant services required to communities,” Fr. Saindi explained adding that in sustainable livelihoods, CAFOD has built capacity of ECM in linking relief to development/resilience.

“We have always incorporated a component of resilience/recovery in any relief program. This has helped to build capacity of communities to be self-reliant.”

Another major achievement attributed to collaborations with CAFOD as well as other partners is the HIV/AIDS programs. “As you might recall, the Home Based Care approach is a brain child of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi and is now adopted country wide if not across the AMECEA and beyond. This is no mean achievement. We thank CAFOD for this,” the Secretary General said.

Fr. Saindi further explained that to ensure sustainability of Social Programs in the advent of reduced donor funding, ECM is working towards self-sustenance. “First we are building capacity of communities to work using locally available resources through the Strength Based Approach program which has produced positive results in five of our districts where communities have enough food this year despite the drought.”

He further explained that ECM is investing in sustainable livelihood programs such as irrigation so that communities will have enough food even if there is drought or no donors. There is also a strong focus on Disaster Risk Reduction and resilience building among communities.

While Thanking CAFOD for the great work in Malawi and for supporting ECM as a channel for their intervention, Fr. Saindi is grateful for the collaboration which has existed between the Malawi Bishops Conference and the Bishops Conference of England and Wales under which CAFOD operates.

He explained that there will be strong capacity building for the next 18 to 42 months before CAFOD finally leaves.

By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
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