AMECEA NEWS

The Catholic Church in Bukoba is among the institutions seriously affected by the Bukoba quake which hit the region at the end of last week. The Earth quake was said to have weighed 5.7 Richter scale, the largest in recent times.

According to the Auxilliary Bishop of Bukoba, Rt. Rev. Method Kilaini the earth quake caused damage to two Bishop’s Houses; Parish Buildings; Priests’ houses, Schools and St Augustine University of Tanzania –SAUT – Bukoba Campus among others.

Bishop Kilaini said that the damage also affected the oldest Church in the Region, Our Lady of Seven Sorrows, Kashozi. This church was built between 1892 and 1897. It suffered serious cracks that would necessitate its reconstruction.

The damages to the Bishops’ residences forced them to vacate their residences and look for accommodation elsewhere. The same was done for priests whose houses and property were destroyed by the quake lost their houses and their properties damaged.

The Auxillary Bishop further noted that “it is not only the church that was affected but the entire community of Kashozi was affected, as some families were left homeless by the Earth Quake”

Bishop Kilaini said that emergency measures are being undertaken by the Catholic Diocese of Bukoba to rescue the Kashozi Parish Church building lest it fall down. “We also want to ensure that the two priests houses damaged are repaired so that Priest can go back and have a decent accommodation again,” he said.

By Sarah Pelaji, Kiongozi newspaper, TEC

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By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News

Rev. Fr. Simon Sabvala

Art has a strong way of speaking to the soul and producing effects that words alone cannot explain and to that effect, a hidden treasure is being molded at Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) Gaba Campus, through the work of a Malawian Priest who is slowly transforming a graveyard into a beautiful Prayer garden, where art evangelizes to the soul.

The CUEA Gaba Campus has for many years been known as a place for spiritual renewal for priests and the religious. Formerly known as AMECEA Pastoral Institute, Gaba has been a centre for sabbatical for priests and religious from AMECEA Region and beyond who have worked for quite a number of years and needed a break in the ministry before proceeding to the next pastoral appointment.

Rev. Fr. Simon Sabvala from Mangochi Diocese in Malawi the brainchild behind the beautiful artistic CUEA Gaba Campus Spiritual Ground arrived at Gaba eight years ago for a sabbatical course that was supposed to last for one year.

“I had worked for 20 years in my diocese back home and I needed to rest. So my bishop allowed me and two of my colleagues to come to Gaba to rest a bit,” he said in an interview with AMECEA Online News.

As Fr. Simon would soon discover, the university’s setting was so busy that there was no rest at

all. He ended up doing the course work offered at the AMECEA Pastoral Institute with others. Even as he undertook his studies, his desire for a private corner where he could keep to himself in solitude and reflect was growing stronger and stronger. This he said was something that the majority of his colleagues in Sabbatical also secretly longed for. “So when we were established in the sabbatical we said why don’t we create a corner where we can be quiet by ourselves and pray.”

This idea of a prayer corner, was concretized by a visit to the African Bible on the Ground Centre, which was established by Benedictine priest at their Monastery in Nanyuki. It inspired him and his friends to set up the prayer garden. “We realized that we didn’t have enough space and the only available space was a small graveyard. The institution used to be a school for young girls run by some religious congregation and two people died there; a religious sister and a girl of twelve years and they were both buried here. So we decided to convert the place into a prayer garden,” Fr. Simon explained.

Fr. Simon took the concept from the African Bible on the Ground centre and used different themes from the old and new testaments to create the beautiful prayer scenery. From the old testament he chose the fall of man at the Garden of Eden, the call of Abraham, the call of Moses and the ten commandment and modelled them on slabs that strongly speaks to the audience. From the new testament, he created the sea of Galilee, which portrays who Jesus is; I am the bread of life, Proclaiming liberty to the oppressed and good tidings to the poor. Finally, Jesus has resurrected and ascended to heaven but he is still around in our neighbours, so he is asking us what we do the least of our brothers in our midst. Towards the exit to the prayer garden which he is still working on, Fr. Simon has a number of saints and intends to add a few more.

“The idea of the prayer garden was to provide a place within the institution that would break the monotony of books and academic environment and create a serene place where one can retreat by themselves and have a moment of reflection. We started off by establishing stations for the way of the cross and have since added other items.”

When he arrived in the country in 2008, Fr. Simon’s artistic instincts compelled him to do something about the university’s gate which looked quite dull, he therefore approached the then, director of Gaba, Rev. Fr. Pius Male, and asked him if he could remodel the emblem of CUEA at the gate of the campus to make it more pronounced and he was given the go ahead. He took to his passion, playing guitar and doing music with a group of youth as well as remodelling the gate. This got the director of Gaba interested in his work and asked him to stay longer.

Fr. Simon loves painting although the only formal education he has as far as art is concerned is a two-weeks training he got from an Italian painter. He says that seeing his finished piece of art gives him a great satisfaction, which unfortunately usually lasts only for a while.

He wants to continue with his passion of evangelizing through art when he goes back home to

Malawi. “I am inspired to make a similar prayer garden not just for my diocese but for the conference if the Bishops allow it.” He is however quick to point out that the limited resources might be a big hindrance towards realizing that dream.

I want to do this because it is my passion, if there is funding somewhere and a place where I can do it then I will put my whole heart to it. All that I need is cement, sand and wire. The wire is for making the structure and filling it up with a mixture of sand and cement.

Born in 1961 Fr. Simon was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Mangochi 28 years ago. He spent ten years teaching, ten years doing pastoral work and 8 years in Gaba working as a staff member there.

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By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications, KCCB

In a bid to mark this extraordinary year of mercy, the Catholic Dioceses of Kenya nad the Catholic University of Eastern Africa conducted a program to empower 11 Bishops and more than 70 Priests to be more pastoral in administering the sacrament of penance.

The empowerment programme took place during the Seminar on the works of the Apostolic Penitentiary (one of the Apostolic Tribunals whose competency is limited to the internal forum and granting of indulgences) held at Donum Dei spiritual Centre, Nairobi from 12th – 15th, September, 2016

The seminar was conducted by Regent of Apostolic Penitentiary H.E. Msgr. Krzysztof Nykiel and official of Apostolic Penitentiary Rev. Fr. Dr. Robert Lezohupski OFMConv from Vatican where Bishops and Priests were enlightened on how to be prepared to be effective witnesses and servants of Gods mercy in administering the sacrament of penance to God’s people so that each one in this year mercy may open up to be transformed, converted and come closer to Jesus and church so as to experience peace with God and with each other.

In an interview with Waumini News, the Vice Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Chairman of Canon Law National Office Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa, said it was very important for pastors to reflect on the apostolic penitentiary that grants dispensation and absolution of certain sins that are reserved, adding that, it was in line with the spirit of Amoris Laetitia (joy of love) on how pastors consciously and consistently give care to people of God.

“There are those who feel abandoned and neglected by the church on account of their state of life, those who are divorced, living in other unions, those who cannot receive Holy Communion for one reason or another, they should feel part and parcel of the family despite the challenges and spiritual difficulties that they face.” Bishop Oballa said.

Bishop Oballa added that, the more priests realize and contemplate on the ministry and mystery of Gods mercy, the more they will be available, attentive and welcoming to God’s people.

He expressed gratitude to the Vatican officials for conducting the seminar in Kenya, this being the first of its kind in Africa.

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By Mwenya Mukuka; Communications Office ZCCB

Caritas Zambia has started implementing a 2-year project aimed at strengthening community capacity in Emergency Preparedness and Response.

The project being implemented in the out skirts of the Capital of Lusaka in Mumbwa and Sibuyunji districts will see 300 people benefit from this programme that has been supported by Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) to a tune of more than 41,000 US Dollars.

This is with background of building community capacity to engage in advocacy aimed at building climate change adaptation initiatives that will assist the communities to build resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts.

“This project aims to build the capacities of the communities to learn to reduce risks in their localities even before disasters occur rather than waiting to manage disasters after they have already occurred,” Caritas -Zambia Head of Programmes Eugene Kabilika has said.

One on the project activities is to facilitate trainings for the communities on Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration as one of the measures for enhancing resiliency in the wake of forests depletions with the objectives of the training including involvement of the communities in developing forests that meets their needs, to motivate them to conserve it and equip them with a skill on performing cultural techniques to encourage natural regeneration that will assist in restoration of lost forests.

“We are training communities to prepare for any disaster be it drought or floods by giving them seeds that may stand any of the two. We are also giving information on how to grow crops using natural agricultural practices without depending on chemical fertilisers,” Mr. Kabilika said.

“Our approach is to mobilise all farmers on the catchment to look at all their resources and the biodiversity that supports them as a whole. This makes it easier to understand how the nature of each part works and how to maximise growth and profit. Growth starts with soil improvement,” He said.

According to Zambia Metrological Department, Zambia is expected to experience flash floods in the 2016/2017 rainy season.

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By Sarah Pelaji and Erick Shampume, Kiongozi Newspaper, TEC

The Catholic Church in Tanzania is set to launch the 150^th Jubilee celebrations of Evangelization in Tanzania Mainland on October 1, 2016 in Bukoba Catholic Diocese.

A statement from the Directorate of Evangelization of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) said that, on the same day, it will also launch the centenary celebrations of the ordination of the First Tanzanian Priests in the country whose climax will be on August 15, 2017. The climax of the 150 years of evangelization in the main land will be celebrated in 2018. The First Priests in the country were ordained on 15/08/1917 at Rubya Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Bukoba.

The two events of the launch will be celebrated together on the 1^st of October, the day precisely chosen to commemorate the feast of St Therese of the Child Jesus, patron of the missions, to mark the beginning of the new missionary journey of evangelization.

The event which is National will attract participants from all the dioceses who will be expected to be in Bukoba from 30^th of September. The launching event will be preceded by several spiritual activities including pilgrimages to various religious sites and prayers sessions.

By Mwenya Mukuka, Communications Office, ZCCB

Chipata Diocese Bishop George Lungu said priests should be at the centre of reconciliation among the people. He said this during the Silver Jubilee Celebration of three Priests that was held at St. Mary’s Junior Seminary.

Bishop Lungu said priests play an important role in society. “A priest is at war and the type of war is difficult because we fight with an invisible enemy. It’s easy to fight with someone who is visible because you can see where to throw your punches, but if your enemy is not seen, it means you have to go through a special training so that you win that war against an invisible enemy. A priest cannot manage to win this type of war without reconciling with God,” he said.

Bishop Lungu said priesthood is centred on reconciling people with Christ, promoting unity and oneness.

“The core of priesthood is to remain united with Jesus Christ who is the Chief Priest, Bishop, fellow priests, the religious and Christians themselves. Where there is unity there is oneness, so it is important that during this feast we reconcile between ourselves and our colleagues who are doing their jubilee so that we start a new life of love, unity and that of reconciliation in our calling,” Bishop Lungu said.

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By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News

The Gaba Publications-CUEA Press of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa - Gaba Campus in collaboration with Moi University held the annual International Writers’ Conference from 20^th-22^ndSeptember under the theme Conflict and Displacement in the 21^stCentury: Challenges and Opportunities for the Church in Africa.

Rev. Fr. Jordan Nyenyembe,

The highly intellectual occasion which was attended by AMECEA Secretary General Rev. Fr. Lugonzo and Director of CUEA Press Rev. Fr. Patrick Thawale among other academic scholars saw the awarding of Best-Selling Authors of AMECEA Gaba Publications --CUEA Press for the year 2016 Rev. Fr. Joseph Healey, MM and Rev. Fr. Benjamin Kiriswa of Eldoret Diocese.

Speaking after the award ceremony, AMECEA Communication Coordinator Rev. Fr. Chrisantus Ndaga said that Fr Healey’s award is an honor to AMECEA Secretariat and specifically the Social communication department where he worked as the First secretary in 1968.

According to the Coordinator of Gaba Publications Rev. Fr. Jordan Nyenyembe, the International Writers Conference was started six years ago following the need to establish stronger networks of contributors of articles for the publication of AMECEA Journal African Ecclesiastical Review – AFER.

This was because Gaba Publication was facing difficulties to get enough articles to run our sister publication AFER Journal which is published quarterly. It is then that discussions were opened that saw the establishment of a collaboration between Gaba and Moi University with a view to increase the number of contributors to the AFER Journal.

According to Fr. Jordan, the initiative has really helped. “From the themes that we present, scholars from different universities throughout the world come and present their papers and this gives us input. It also helps theology to dialogue with other disciplines on issues that theology alone cannot tackle, for instance issues such as migration and displacement.”

Fr. Nyenyembe further explained that the reflections during the Writers conference also assists the church in AMECEA to get some insight of scholars to set relevant pastoral strategies. “The conference has also been a good platform to encourage budding scholars especially priests who come as students of AMECEA Pastoral Institute. The conference offers them exposure as well as gives them motivation to become future researchers; something that is engraved in the Motto of the Campus, which is Excellence in Research and publication.”

The conference welcomes presentations not only from theologians or ordained ministers but people from diverse backgrounds to provide diversity which is guided by the chosen themes and tackles issues affecting humanity in contemporary world. However, in order for articles and presentations to fit in the policy of AMECEA Gaba publication, the presenters must incorporate their articles with pastoral insight.

The AWARD

It was the first time theGaba Publication was giving an award during the Conference. According to Fr. Jordan the idea was born out of the need to appreciate the authors and also to encourage other writers.

“It is a new thing we are starting and the criteria that we follow is look at the personal efforts of the author to sell their work. Already we have reprinted the books of Fr. Healey and Fr. Kiriswa because they themselves have been championing the sale of their work and it has been moving very fast so we appreciate their efforts and we feel that their books are serving the Church,” Fr. Jordan explained adding that the awareness of the Small Christian Communities has grown because of the work of Fr. Healey while Fr. Kiriswa has given a good input in the Pastoral Council sector where so many people facing problems have greatly benefited.

Fr. Healey won the award for his book Building the Church as Family of God: Evaluation of Small Christian Communities in Eastern Africa, Eldoret: AMECEA Gaba Publications – CUEA Press Double Spearhead Nos. 199-200 (Print Version 2012 and 1st Reprint 2014). 163 pages;while Fr. Kiriswa won the award for his book Pastoral Counselling in Africa: An Integrated Model: AMECEA Gaba Publications – CUEA Press Double Spearhead Nos. 208-209 (First Published 2002 and Revised Edition Published 2014). 170 pages

Source: Radio Vatican

Caritas Zambia has started implementing a 2-year project aimed at strengthening community capacity in Emergency Preparedness and Response. The project being implemented in the outskirts of the capital, Lusaka in Mumbwa and Sibuyunji districts will see 300 people benefit from this programme supported by Norwegian Church Aid (NCA).

The idea is to build community capacity to engage in advocacy aimed at creating climate change adaptation initiatives that will assist communities acquire resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts.

“This project aims to build the capacities of communities to reduce risks in their localities even before disasters occur rather than waiting to manage disasters after they have already occurred,” Caritas -Zambia Head of Programmes Eugene Kabilika has said.

One of the project’s activities is to facilitate training for communities in Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). FMNR is one of the measures for enhancing resilience in the wake of forest depletions. The main objective of the training is to involve local communities in developing forests that meet their needs so as to motivate them to conserve forests. The training will also equip inhabitants with cultural techniques that encourage natural regeneration as this will ultimately assist in the restoration of lost forests.

“We are training communities to prepare for any disaster be it drought or floods by giving them seeds that withstand any of the two. We are also giving information on how to grow crops using natural agricultural practices without depending on chemical fertilisers,” Kabilika said.

He added, “Our approach is to mobilise all farmers in the catchment (area) to look at all their resources and the biodiversity that supports them as a whole. This makes it easier to understand the nature of how each part works and how to maximise growth and profit. Growth starts with soil improvement,” Kabilika outlined.

According to Zambia Meteorological Department, Zambia is expected to experience flash floods during the 2016/2017 rainy season.

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Source: CRN

CAFOD and Trocaire have partnered to train Catholic Radio Network (CRN) on the dissemination of the South Sudan Peace Agreement. The three-day workshop that started on Tuesday is aimed at equipping journalists with better skills to disseminate the contents of the agreement to South Sudanese, says Mugove Chakurira, CTP Deputy Country Director. He hoped the journalists get full knowledge of the agreement and deliver correct information to their listeners.

The workshop facilitator, advised the journalists to use the peace agreement as a reference for peace building, reconciliation and healing and inclusive participation of citizens. The training covered pertinent issues that included the history of the Sudan conflict from 2005 to 2013, the role of the journalists in reporting conflicts and peace issues as well as the protocol to the Agreement on the Resolution of the South Sudan conflict among other topics.

The workshop brought together journalists from Radio Anisa, Easter, Emmanuel Bakhita, Don Bosco, Voice of Hope and CRN News Desk.

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By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications KCCB

The Deputy General Secretary of Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Vey Rev. Fr. Lucas Ong’esa Manwa has called upon priests in all Dioceses to come up with solid vocational programs that would guide young adults in building strong and firm families.

Speaking at the Kenya Catholic Secretariat during a press conference ahead of African Regional Conference on Families, Fr. Ong’esa affirmed that, the church upholds the exclusive union of a man and woman as central to marriage, and thus cannot accept the civil redefinition as the union of any two persons. He emphasized that the civil redefinitions make it important for the church to mould the young adults to understand the teachings of the Catholic Church.

“The Church should develop creative pastoral strategies and vocational programs for young people to avoid moral confusion, misunderstanding, misinformation and emptiness,” said Fr. Ong’esa.

He encouraged everyone to uphold the dignity of the institution and sacrament of marriage and to recommit themselves to building up the human family. He further encouraged the society to encourage Christian marriages between man and woman because the family remains the basic unit of civilization. He noted that families have proven to be the unit where rights and needs of children are supported and protected. He encouraged the faithful to make their homes, families and parish communities’ holy welcoming places for women and men.

Quoting the apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia ‘the Joy of Love’ of Pope Francis he reminded parish priests that “the main contribution to the pastoral care of families is offered by the parish, which is the family of families, where small communities, ecclesial movements and associations live in harmony.”

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By Prince Henderson, ECM Communications Officer

Group photo of the workshop participants

A week-long Summer School workshop which was organized by the University of Perugia of the Archdiocese of Perugia and Friends of Malawi in Italy through the Social Development’s Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) ended on Friday at Msamba Pastoral Centre in Lilongwe.

The Summer School Workshop drew together participants from different sectors of ECM including Bishops, Catholic Secretariat and Diocesan Staff members mainly from CADECOM; academicians and students drawn from the Catholic University of Malawi (CUNIMA) and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resource (LUANAR) and government officials.

Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa, Chairman of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi officially opened the workshop on Monday. In his speech, Archbishop Msusa said the workshop was timely as it was in line with what World Leaders agreed in 2015 as they adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals as global development aspirations for the period 2015-2030.

He said Sustainable Development Goals are development aspirations that not only seek to meet the development needs of the present generation but also promote the utilization of the natural resources and the entire ecosystem to meet the needs of the next generation. “Thus; we do not only think of what is good for me, for us today…… but we also think of future generations…. that’s the way of being human,” he said.

According to Most Rev. Thomas Luke Msusa, the idea of the international Summer School resonates well with the Holy Father’s Encyclical called Laudato Si, on the Care of our Common Home. He said the impacts of Climate Change have not only hit hard on the agricultural production, but has also affected the production machinery. He therefore challenged all in the workshop to take seriously the issues of environmental resources and biodiversity

The Director of Crop Development in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Dr. Godfrey Ching’oma commended the Malawi Catholic Church through CADECOM for the role it plays in protecting the environment, promoting food security and empowering communities with various strategies to improve their livelihood. He encouraged the Catholic Church to put into practice the recommendations to be agreed upon after the workshop and share with his Ministry and promised to act upon them accordingly.

A representative of Friends of Malawi in the Archdiocese of Perugia, Lara Taglieni said her organization which has been working in Malawi for the past 30 years especially in Zomba where they run some projects felt this was a commendable initiative. That was the motivation for the collaboration with Professor Ciani in the summer School Programme.

Professor Ciani said the workshop has been interesting, exciting and important hence feels ECM through CADECOM will come up with a road map to addressing effects of climate change in Malawi and become a shining example to the rest of Africa.

Over 50 members including Archbishops Tarcizious Ziyaye,Msusa and Bishop Peter Musikuwa,Montfort Stima attended the Summer School workshop.

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By Makeda Yohannes, CBCE Communications and Public Relation Officer

Catholics in Ethiopia celebrate ‘Meskel’ the feast of finding the True Cross. The faithful from the different Parishes in Addis Ababa gathered at the Parish of Our Lady of Zion to celebrate the feast together.

On the occasion Rev. Fr. Tesfay Woldemariam, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa said the Cross is the light of the world and the foundation for the Church. “In our Church we always remember the passion of the Cross; we begin everything with the sign of the Cross in the name of the Holy Trinity. We are called to reflect on the mystery of the Holy Trinity and our Baptism and imitate the Mercifulness of the Holy Trinity in our lives,” he said.

He said we celebrate the feast because the Cross is the emblem for Christians; it gives us love, peace and strength to answer to our calling. “As Our Lord carried his Cross, we also have to carry our earthy cross every day and looking at Our Lord’s True Cross gives us strength, thus we must celebrate the feast of the Cross with great spirituality and Love for God and our neighbors,” said Fr. Tesfay.

He recalled that the Catholic Church in Ethiopia is dedicating the month of September for peace prayers in all the Parishes throughout the country and asked the faithful to actively participate in the prayers.

The Choirs sang praising the Lord while Fr. Tesfay and other priests lit the bon fire in commemoration of the finding of the True Cross by St. Elena and as a sign of Light and Peace.

The traditional celebration of the Feast of ‘Meskel’ in Ethiopia is registered by UNESCO as an intangible heritage of the country.

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By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications KCCB

Couples have been urged to embrace and promote the use of Natural Family Planning (NFP) in child spacing. Speaking during the African Regional Conference on Families on 23rd, September, 2016, The Vice Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) – Family Life National Office Rt. Rev. Alfred Rotich said that there is need to restore sexual sanity and morality to give marriage and family their rightful places and dignity. He added that there is no better method of family planning than NFP for the 21st century and beyond.

Bishop Rotich emphasized that, NFP is the best way of promoting life by which society is assured of strengthening the institution of marriage, building up the human family, and nurturing children. “NFP is a method that respects the dignity of man, woman and life.” He said.

He observed that the greatest benefit of NFP is that it calls for the same traits that are fundamental for marriage as a whole noting that, any teaching of NFP is always within the context of enhancing marriage, strengthening family bonds, promoting responsible parenthood as well as the respect for temporal life from conception to natural death. “Any method of child spacing that fails to see that children are a gift from God is wrong. It is important to delight in the reality that children are indeed a gift of the Lord” He said

The World Health organization recognizes NFP as the safest method of spacing births. It also has the added advantage of helping couples to achieve pregnancy and even pre-selecting the sex of the baby. The African Regional Conference on Families was held in Nairobi, Kenya and brought together about 200 participants from Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, USA and Rome to deliberate on the issues affecting the family.

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By Francis Mwangi, Waunini Communications KCCB

Yet again the Catholic Community Radio Network in Kenya has achieved another major milestone towards the Church’s Mission of creating spiritually nourished and empowered society after welcoming Radio Tumaini in the Archdiocese of Mombasa. Mombasa Archbishop Most Rev. Martin Kivuva presided over the launch of the station at Our Lady of Good Hope Pilgrimage, Bura Shrine.

Tumaini which means hope is the 12^thMember of the Catholic Media family coming hot on the heels of Radio Mchungaji in the Catholic Diocese of Mararal which was launched in August. Addressing hundreds of Christians, Archbishop Kivuva welcomed the new station as a tool of evangelization and empowerment of the local communities “Radio Tumaini ni Mwanga wetu (Radio Tumaini our light), it is a tool of spreading Christ’s message of hope, we are happy and we will journey together and look forward with hope” he said.

“Through Radio Tumaini, Our objective is to cover the whole Diocese by targeting the four counties of Kilifi, Taita Taveta, Kwale and Mombasa” he added. The station will broadcast in Swahili language on 93.0 Fm. The Archbishop thanked the technical team led by KCCB Waumini Communications Managing Director David Omwoyo for working tirelessly to realise the dream of Radio Tumaini.

Taita Taveta Governor John Mruttu led other civic leaders among them Members of Parliament and Members of the County Assembly in Congratulating the Archdiocese of Mombasa for its commitment to promote people participation and connectivity through Radio Tumaini.

“Your Grace we want to congratulate you and your team for this initiative and also welcome Radio Tumaini, the County Government of Taita Taveta is committed to engage the people through the new radio station, we look forward towards implementing development programmes, engaging and informing the people through Radio Tumaini which is a timely enable of public participation” Said Governor Mruttu.

The Governor expressed his optimism that Radio Tumaini will be a platform to promote family values in the society singling the youth as segment of the society that needs guidance on family values. Other leaders present during the launch included Chairman of the Catholic Members of Parliament Association and Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu, Mwatate MP Andrew Mwadime, Bura MCA Frumence Mshila among others.

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By Makeda Yohannes, CBCE Communications and Public Relation Officer

Group Photo of the participants

The 7^thAnnual General Health Assembly of the Ethiopian Catholic Church took place in Addis Ababa on September 29 -30, 2016. The theme of the assembly is “Towards health system strengthening and networking in providing quality and sustainable health care services through partnership with national and local government”.

Speaking on the occasion Rev. Fr. Hagos Hayish, C.M., ECS Secretary General said that the Church continues to strive serving the poor and the marginalized with quality health services. “The Church manages over 83 health institutions that provide curative and preventive services, most of these health facilities are located in very rural areas with limited communications and infrastructure facilities,” he said.

He also called on the Federal Ministry of Health and regional health bureaus to strengthen their ongoing collaboration with the Church for the smooth running of the health facilities in their service to the poor and vulnerable people of God. He also emphasized the importance of further developing the public private partnership in the health sector.

“We strive to be a leading partner of the government in addressing healthcare issues and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals to be implemented by 2030,” Fr. Hagos, C.M., added.

Mr. Bekele Moges, ECC SDCO Executive Director

This year the Ethiopian Catholic Church Social and Development Commission (ECC SDCO) completed a gap assessment conducted on Catholic health institutions based on the government’s Food, Medicine, Health Care Administration and Control Authority (FMHACA) Standard. According to Mr. Bekele Moges, ECC SDCO Executive Director, the assessment that was done with the support of CRS Ethiopia is helpful in strengthening the quality health services the Church provides by identifying gaps and way forwards.

“The Catholic Health institutions general scored well in the assessment but at the same time we were able to identify our gaps in every sector thus now we can work towards filling our gaps and improving our services,” said Mr. Bekele.

He explained that following the assessment ECC SDCO is responding to fill the identified gaps by providing Information Technology materials, capacity building trainings for the staff and other needed assistance to the health facilities.

The findings of the assessment were presented during the assembly for experience sharing among the health facilities and discussed upon in details. With the assessment there is now a clear map of the Ethiopian Catholic Church Health institutions with good knowledge of their status.

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By AMECEA Online News Reporter

The Catholic University of Eastern Africa has been ranked 7^th among the 10 most preferred Universities in the country.

This is according to a 3 year scientific study commissioned by the British Council in 2013. In Kenya the study was led by re renowned scholar and educationist, Professor Daniel Sifuna. The University of Nairobi took the first position followed by Kenyatta University both of which are Public Universities. Among the Private Universities Strathmore University was the best among and 4^thin the country. It is in this category that the Catholic University of Eastern Africa featured as the 3^rd best private University and 7^thin the country.

Commenting on this, the Vice Chancellor of CUEA Prof. Justus Mbae said that it is very significant that out of 37 chartered private universities only 3 made the list of top ten most desired products and CUEA was one of them. “That speaks volumes about our institution! “We are doing well; and still can do better.”

‘The Daily Nation’ one of Kenya’s authoritative newspapers on its issue of 24 September 2016; reported that graduates of Catholic University; (that means CUEA) are among the most sought after products of both public and private universities in the country. “This is not the first time we near this claim but it is particularly comforting and reassuring to affirm this through a scientific study at this moment in the history of the Catholic University of Eastern, Africa.”

The VC said that apart from the knowledge and skills that Universities impart to their students, employers were also looking for the graduate with positive attitude, good communication and presentation skins, and creative thinking. “These employers were also concerned about the lack of ethics and values as well as the low levels of self confidence in the graduates of the universities,” he said.

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By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News

The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) has received full accreditation to offer Degree (LLB) programmes. According to the information received from CUEA, the full accreditation is valid for a period of four (4) years after which the institution will be re-evaluated for compliance.

“After two years of hard work and struggle with the Council of Legal Education, we are finally there. Our law program has been accredited for the next four years and for the first time in almost a year, we are able to admit new students to the Faculty of Law,” said Prof Justus Mbae, the university’s Vice chancellor in his circular addressed to CUEA staff.

In January 2016, the government Commission for University Education (CUE) launched a crucial audit of public and private Universities in Kenya. Professor David Some, Chief Executive at CUE, claimed that the Commission had placed more than a dozen university campuses under review, giving the institutions 90 days to address issues raised as part of the review. This was to ensure that all universities and their campuses adhere to the guidelines set in regard to accreditation of courses, establishment of institutions and setting up of adequate facilities.

“We thank God for this new development and although the University has spent huge resources in order to meet the demands and expectations of the Council of Legal Education, we are proud to think that this school is now much stronger and much better equipped to produce even better law graduates than has been the case in the past,” Prof Mbae said.

CUEA School of Law was established in 2005 and has been the backbone of the university having been among the leading faculties in terms of students’ admission. Currently, it comes second after School of Business with a population of 1364 students. The students Population of CUEA as at the moment stands at slightly over 7,000 and these are spread over six Faculties (Theology, Art & Social Sciences, Commerce, Education, Science and Law) and five Institutes, which include Centre for Social Justice and Ethics, Institute of Canon Law, Institute for Regional Integration and Development, and Library and Information Science. It also houses the AMECEA Pastoral Institute at Gaba Campus.

“Our sincere thanks go to the Dean of the Faculty of Law for his leadership and dedication to the cause. We thank all the staff and students of the Faculty of Law for believing in the University and for their patience. Above all, we thank the ‘Ad. Hoc’ Committee appointed by the Vice Chancellor to spearhead preparations towards achieving full accreditation status,” the Vice Chancellor said.

∽End∽

By: Catholic Radio Network (CRN)

Ethiopia receives over thousand refugees daily as the situation worsens in South Sudan, according to a report by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC).

The organization reported that more than 32,000 South Sudanese have sought refuge in the Gambella region of Ethiopia since the beginning of September 2016. These join the 286,000 who have been in the Gambella camp since December 2013 when the war broke out. It further said they are mobilizing resources to assist them and that it has so far constructed emergency shelters for 1,200 households in the last weeks. An additional 200 emergency shelters were being finalized. The organization also assists persons with disabilities and special needs upon arrival to Tierkidi camp in the region, it notes.

DRC’s Country Director in Ethiopia James Curtis says the situation across the border is extremely serious because it is a combination of both the recent fighting and hunger. He also raised concern over the high number of unaccompanied minors, saying that it is a situation that calls for urgent rapid response so as to protect the children.

He said that DRC remains closely engaged with actors to scale up emergency and relief efforts, if the number of new refugees continues to grow in the coming weeks.

By Prince Henderson, ECM Communications office

The month of October is a Missionary month: During the month, Catholics world-over celebrate World Mission Sunday and Catholic Christians are encouraged to pray Holy Rosary daily. The Society for the Propagation of the Faith which is under the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) is mandated to promote activities within the month.

The meaning of the World Mission Month.

According to the National Director for PMS Malawi, Fr. Vincent Mwakhwawa, Jesus Christ mandate us, to preach the Gospel “Go and proclaim the Gospel to the whole world (Mark 16:15, Mathew 28:19).He says the Gospel is preached in different ways like: preaching or proclaiming the Word of God, life-witness, celebration of the liturgy and living the ideals of Justice and Peace among many other expressions.

The Catholic Church, during this time, calls all its faithful to reflect on how they are fulfilling their obligation in preaching the Gospel to the whole world through prayers, Christian services and financial assistance. It is also a time for each Christian to thank God for the gift of faith and then pray for others who do not have faith or who have weak faith to believe in the Gospel of salvation,” said Fr. Mwakhwawa.

Significance of the World Mission Month.

In explaining the significance of the World Mission Month, Fr. Mwakhwawa said the Church has set aside the month of October as a mission Month so as to remind Christians of their role to cooperate with Christ in ensuring the gospel reached all corners of the earth. He also added that the Mission Month is a preparation for the celebration of World Mission Sunday. World Mission Sunday is a special Sunday that every Catholic in the whole world prays and contributes money for work of the Church in preaching the Gospel of salvation of the whole world.

“Here in Malawi, we will celebrate this World Mission Sunday on 16th October at Nsanje Catholic Parish in the Diocese of Chikwawa. This is a special day of prayer and collection of money for the mission of the Church in the whole world. The mission of the Church is to proclaim the Gospel to the whole world – beyond the borders, especially where the people have not heard the good news of salvation and where the Church is young,” he said.

The World Mission Sunday was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1922, as a way of the renewing the Pentecost experience which initiated the mission of the apostle to people of other nations. The Church celebrates the gift of the missionary spirit in its members (the laity, clergy and religious) and at the same time prays for the growth of this same spirit because the work is huge and the vineyard is vast. The Church wants to live and encourage the growth of this spirit which filled the early Christians who were gathering together; sharing the world of God; breaking the Bread; and putting their material things together for the salvation of many (Acts 2:42-47).

The World Mission Sunday collections are put together and then shared to all countries in need of support for proclamation of the good news. The support is called missionary subsidy and is used for various missionary developments in the Catholic Church which among others include building church, hospitals, schools, houses for Priests, Brothers and Sisters, buying religious and spiritual materials to be used by those who cannot afford because of their poor economic or social conditions.

“The collections on World Mission Sunday are a sign of faith in action, sharing the faith through monetary gifts so that the good news can be preached to those who have not heard it. This collection is a sacrifice of faith which Christians so that the world can be a better place with Gospel values,” said Fr. Mwakhwawa.

To be continued….

By Pascal Mwanache, Kiongozi Newspaper, TEC

Bishops in procession

Thousands of faithful and pilgrims from different parts of Tanzania on 1^stOctober witnessed the launching of the 150^th anniversary of evangelization in the mainland at Bukoba Catholic Diocese.

The event which coincided with the launch of the centenary celebration of the ordination of the first priests in the country was also attended by a number Catholics from neighboring countries.

Speaking during the Holy Mass the Archbishop of Mwanza, Most Rev. Jude Thadei Ruwaichi said that the celebration of the launch should remind people that all these successes were obtained through God’s grace which accompanied human effort. "What we are is because of the generosity and hardwork of our predecessors who preached the Gospel. We thank God for the gift of priesthood, we pray for them and those who have died, "he said.

On his part, the Bishop of Bukoba Rt Rev Desderius Rwoma said that in this period of the Jubilee, the church must cherish the missionary spirit, which was the legacy of the missionaries 100 years ago.

"We are at the Seminary also to pray so that God may send more laborers to his vineyard,” he explained.

TANZANIA: Bukoba Earthquake leaves Bishops’ Residences and Parish Churches with huge cracks

AMECEA: Meet a Priest who chose a unique way to evangelize to the Masses through Art

KENYA: Catholic Bishops and Priests trained on dispensation of Sacrament of Penance

ZAMBIA: Caritas –Zambia Prepares Communities on Disaster Preparedness

TANZANIA: Catholic Church to launch the 150 years Anniversary of Evangelization

ZAMBIA: Champion Reconciliation;- Bishop Lungu Urges Priests

AMECEA: CUEA-Gaba Publication holds 6th International Writers Conference

ZAMBIA: Caritas Zambia on climate change preparedness

SOUTH SUDAN: CAFOD and Trocaire trains CRN Journalists on Dissemination of peace agreement

KENYA: Mentor young adults to appreciate the value of the Family Institution

ECM Expresses Commitment to Care for the Environment

ETHIOPIA: Catholics Light the Bonfire as Sign of a Light and Peace from Christ

KENYA: Promote the use of Natural Family Planning in the 21st century

KENYA: Archdiocese of Mombasa launches Radio Tumaini

ETHIOPIA: Catholic Health Institutions Prove to be Providing Quality Services

KENYA: CUEA is among the 10 most preferred Universities in the country

KENYA: CUEA School of Law Gets Full Accreditation

SOUTH SUDAN: Ethiopia receives 1000 South Sudan refugees daily

MALAWI: Reflecting on October as World Mission Month

TANZANIA: 150 Years of Evangelization Launched