Quantcast
Channel: AMECEA NEWS
Viewing all 5989 articles
Browse latest View live
↧

KENYA: “Your integrity should be beyond reproach,” IEBC selection panel told

October 21, 2016, 8:43 am
$
0
0
By Franc Mwangi, Waumini Communications KCCB

Selected Panel in a group Photo with religious Leaders
The nominees for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel have been urged to discharge their duties with integrity in order to give Kenyans a credible electoral body.

While expressing confidence and trust in the nine members at Ufungamano during a prayer meeting, religious leaders and civil society actors under the auspices of the Multi-Sectoral Forum (MSF) reminded the nine nominees that the future of elections in Kenya hinges on the critical decisions they are going to make during the vetting process. “We congratulate you on your selection and appreciate the mammoth task before you. We trust in your ability and dedication for the service to our nation through this crucial exercise. We are fully behind you and we shall continue to accord you the necessary support to ensure that the selection process is carried out seamlessly to the honour of God and all Kenyans” said Sheikh Adan Wachu, Chairman Inter-Religious Council of Kenya.

Catholic Bishop Alfred Rotich underlined the high expectations on the panel “Kenyans expect that this team will be truthful honest and courageous to the course, we know that integrity comes from God and if they rely on the help of God, certainly they should be able to discharge the mandate bestowed on them” said Bishop Rotich.

The nine who include the nominees representing religious groups Mrs. Bernadette Musundi, Rev. Canon Peter Karanja, Prof. Abdulghafur El-Busaidy, Bishop (Dr.) David Oginde and Mr. Rajesh Rawal and the nominees of the Parliamentary Service Commission, Evans Monari, Mary Karen Kigen-Sorobit, Rtd Justice Tom Mbaluto and Ogla Chepkemoi Karani, further received the backing from the civil society actors. “We wish you well and we will continue to support you. We hope you will give us IEBC commissioners of integrity in public service who have the courage to resist the allure of corruption” said Suba Churchill from the Civil Society Reference Group. 

In appreciating the role played by the church in spearheading the electoral reforms ahead of 2017 general elections, Churchill compared the critical role played by the church to the past struggles of democratic reforms in Kenya “In 1997, we were convened by Bishop Philip Sulumeti at Safari Park Hotel, as we were negotiating the Constitution of Kenya Review Act and once again you men and women of God have been called upon to provide leadership in a process that will move this country forward which is a manifestation of the hope that society places on you” he affirmed.

On behalf of the Multi-Sectoral Forum, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Deputy General Secretary Fr. Lucas Ong’esa reaffirmed the commitment of the group in supporting the process of selecting a credible IEBC team “We will continue to journey with you not only in prayers, but as a technical team, we will be ready and available to provide advice, and any other materials that you may need in your work, so feel free to consult us” said Fr. Ong’esa


∽End∽
↧
Search

SOUTH SUDAN: Women Organization appeals for Sustainable Peace to Eradicate Poverty

October 21, 2016, 8:47 am
$
0
0
Source: CRN

Eve Organization for Women Development has appealed to the government of South Sudan and SPLM/A_IO to put down guns and boost efforts for poverty eradication. 

Eve Programme Manager, Catherine Pita warned that the violence and fighting will never take the country forward at all and that it was important to now focus on reconstructing the country and eradicating poverty. 

The appeal for durable peace and for poverty eradication was made during the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty which was marked under the theme: “Moving from humiliation and exclusion to participation: Ending poverty in all its forms”.

According to her inclusivity and solidarity could be employed as mechanisms for poverty eradication. Women were also encouraged to participate in agriculture, business as well as politics and decision as a way of getting themselves and other women out of poverty.

Eve Organization for Women Development works on empowering women against poverty by supporting livelihood projects such as honey business, goats’ rearing and cooperative business in Lirya County of Jubek State.


∽End∽
↧
↧

TANZANIA: Cardinal Pengo Commissions Children to Evangelize to the Island.

October 21, 2016, 8:51 am
$
0
0
By Geofrey Hilmary, Kiongozi Newspaper, TEC

H.E. Polycarp Cardinal
Pengo
The Archbishop of Dar es Salam, His Eminence Polycarp Cardinal Pengo has asked the Pontifical Missionary Society (PMS) Children to make their pilgrimage to Mafia Island as an Evangelization event that will make Faith grow in the Island. 

Cardinal Pengo said this when he was flagging off PMS Children from the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam who were also joined by PMS children from Ifakara and Mpanda dioceses.

Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam has resolved to make annual pilgrimage to Mafia, an Island (in the territory of the archdiocese of Dar es salaam) with Muslim majority. According to the census conducted in 2013 Mafia Island (in the Indian Ocean) has a population of above 45,000 with Catholics being only 10% of the total population.

According to the Auxiliary Bishop of Dar es Salaam, Rt Rev Eusebius Nzigilwa, who was in the Island, Cardinal Pengo is the person behind the PMS annual pilgrimage idea to the Island. Cardinal Pengo experienced a stigma towards the Island; People associated the appointments to the island with the punishment.

“Cardinal Pengo experienced this and said felt the need to change this mentality by having annual event in the island with children; Children are innocent, let us start with them,” he said.

The Parish Priest of Mafia, Rev Fr. Francis Masawe said that they have started experiencing the impact of the PMS children’s pilgrimage to the island because there have been a number of converts to the Catholic faith in recent days.

The District Executive Director of Mafia asked the Archdiocese through Bishop Nzigilwa to build a high school and a health centre in the island and the government would be ready to offer them land.


∽End∽
↧

SOUTH SUDAN: Catholic Church Opens Peace Centre in Juba

October 21, 2016, 8:55 am
$
0
0

By AMECEA Online News Correspondent

Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan,
Most Rev Charles Daniel Balvo,
(3rd from right)  with the Bishops
 of South Sudan
The Religious Superiors Association of South Sudan have finally opened a peace Centre in Kit, located a few kilometres outside Juba Town. 

The centre whose main purpose is to provide human, pastoral and spiritual formation, peace building and trauma healing for South Sudanese, was officially blessed and opened by the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, H.E. Archbishop Charles Daniel Balvo, assisted by the Archbishop of Juba, three other Bishops, an Apostolic Administrator and a large number of Diocesan and Religious priests from across the country.

According to the press statement sent to AMECEA Online News, Rev. Fr. Daniele Moschetti, MCCJ, President of the Religious Superiors’ Association in South Sudan (RSASS), said that the project which was initiated two years ago and was officially launched by the Archbishop of Juba, Most Rev. Paulino Lukudu Loro on 11th October 2014 is “both a gift and a sign of hope for the future in these troubled times.”

He described the completion of the centre a remarkable achievement given the conflict within the country and the difficulty it posed in bringing in materials and employing a capable workforce.

“The project has been built within budget, with most of the funds donated by Italian and German Catholic charities as well as some international NGOs. The land was leased from the St Martin de Porres Brothers and also financially supported by several Catholic Religious Congregations present in South Sudan.”

Peace Centre
The centre has forty, en-suite bedrooms each capable of accommodating two beds and a youth hostel that can accommodate sixty people. The facility also has spacious conference and dining rooms, a central chapel and many seminar rooms and outdoor tukuls, and it stands on a peaceful site near the Kit river. it is expected that this quality, purpose-built facility will be a very positive force in the search for peace in South Sudan. The simple but profound message above the chapel entrance says: ‘Be at Peace’.

According to the press statement, the initial staff who will serve the Centre include a South Sudanese Comboni Priest, two members of Solidarity with South Sudan - a Vincentian priest from the Philippines, and a Sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary from the USA; other members of staff include a Jesuit priest from Rwanda and a St Martin De Porres Brother from Uganda. The diversity of nationalities of the staff members is intended to show an example of living in unity in diversity and is in itself a message to South Sudan in working together in fraternity for a common vision and future.

Fr. Moschetti who is also the Provincial of the Comboni Missionaries, gave special thanks to all who have contributed to the achievement of the centre which he described as a common dream for the people of South Sudan. In a special way, he thanked the Supervising Engineer, Br Hans Eigner and the Building Contractor, Mr. Robert Andama for their energy and commitment to quality while completing the large centre in 17 months.

Tribute was also paid to both the Christian and Muslim workers, Ugandan and South Sudanese, who worked side by side with respectful harmony to complete the Centre which is open to people of all faiths.

Fr. Moschetti said that the completion of the Centre is an indication that a lot can be achieved against the odds. “It is a gift of hope for the people of South Sudan, especially for all who will receive formation from this centre. It is also a great sign from the religious and the Local Church that the Catholic Church is concretely committed for peace, justice and reconciliation in the country through their personnel and structures.”

A crowd or more than 800 people, including several ambassadors and local dignitaries, attended the joyful occasion of blessing and opening of the centre.


∽End∽
↧

UGANDA: Refugees and Host Communities to benefit from Food Security and Livelihoods programme

October 21, 2016, 8:58 am
$
0
0
By Jacinta W. Odongo; Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference

Starting this month of October 22, 2016, refugees and members of host community from Yumbe District in the Northern part of Uganda are set to benefit from Caritas Uganda for a one-year period. This is after receiving donor aid from its confederation members that will enhance food security and livelihoods.

Caritas Uganda, which is a department of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, in collaboration with Caritas Belgium and Irish Trocaire among other partners, have committed to assist 3000 newly arrived South Sudanese refugees and the host community that they are living in and around Bidibidi camp in Yumbe District. They will support them through food production and non-agricultural income generation. The South Sudanese refugees were forced to flee their country following resumption of war between forces loyal to President Salvar Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar this year.

The Caritas Uganda Project Coordinator for the Refugee Emergency Response in Bidibidi Camp said that they will focus on food security and livelihoods without ignoring aspects such as health, nutrition, hygiene and environment.

“Malnutrition among the refugees remains high, particularly severe acute malnutrition, visible mainly among children below five. Yumbe District is well endowed with fertile soils, but the refugees do not have the farming implements and inputs for planting. Besides, every refugee received from the Ugandan Government a plot of land measuring 30mx30m for construction of shelter and gardening,” he said adding “It is for this reason that Caritas Uganda is planning for an intermediary response to provide targeted households with knowledge, skills and farming implements to produce food for themselves.”

He also noted that women and girls in both communities will be provided with reusable sanitary pads and the host communities will be provided tree seedlings, for both fruit and timber.

Out of the 3000 households, 2400 will be households from the refugee camp itself and 600 will be households from the host community in order to avoid conflict between the two groups. It is the policy of the Uganda Government that whatever support is given to the refugees 25 percent of it must go to the host communities.

In a bid to further comply with this rule and avoid tension between the refugees and host community,60 youth from the refugee community and 20 from the host community will be trained in various trades such as catering, tailoring, metal fabrication, agriculture and farming, motor vehicle mechanic, hair dressing and beauty. Caritas Uganda hopes that after the three months intensive training in the institutions within Northern Uganda the youth will become self-reliant,” he explained.

After the training the top 60 youth from the two communities will be awarded with start-up kits in every area of their specialization to help them set up a business, to become self-reliant and to strengthen their socio-economic resilience. The refugees will continue to receive relief food and other humanitarian support from Caritas Uganda and its partners, based on verified need.

He further explained that they will also organize the refugees in groups of 15-20 farmers, identify 10 Community Extension Workers (CEW) to act as everyday link between the beneficiaries and the emergency appeal by mobilizing the beneficiaries and providing basic agronomic support and post-harvest handling skills. Every group leader will elect one leading member to go for one-month training on agronomic practices (advanced level).

Caritas Belgium has procured the seeds and the agricultural tools to be used by the refugees and host community for this planting season. Both the seeds and tools were supplied and commissioned on Saturday, October 15.

Uganda currently hosts more than 480,000 refugees residing in nine rural settlements. These refugees rely heavily on external assistance. The time it takes for the refugees to achieve self-reliance depends on the duration of time spent in Uganda and access to productive land as well as the quality of their livelihoods.


∽End∽
↧
↧

ZAMBIA: Church Bodies and Civil Society call for Respect of Human Rights and Freedom of Media

October 21, 2016, 9:01 am
$
0
0
By Mwenya Mukuka, ZCCB Communications Officer

Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) alongside Church Mother bodies, Law Association of Zambia and other civil society organizations in Zambia under a consortium called Oasis Forum is alarmed at the increasing trend of political intimidation and physical attacks against citizens and members of the private media.

Recently Lusaka based Komboni Radio Director; Lesa Kasoma Nyirenda was physically harassed by the police while Prime TV staff were summoned by the police for allegedly communicating classified information.

Oasis Forum Chairperson also ZCCB Secretary General Fr. Cleophas Lungu said this at a media briefing in Lusaka on Wednesday 19th October, 2016. The Forum welcomed the apology from Zambian Vice-President Inonge Wina over the unfortunate remarks she passed after the assault of Komboni radio Director saying that the remarks were unwarranted.

“These attacks appear to be an attempt by government to diminish dissenting voices of citizens to achieve their own end. The Republic of Zambia is still a constitutional democracy. For democracy to thrive, basic human rights such as freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of movement and freedom of association must be allowed to exist without impediment. This allows for the free flow of information to the Zambian citizens as well as the Zambian government who will subsequently be in a better position to understand what it is that the Zambian people need and want,” Fr. Lungu said.

He noted that democracy demands that everyone should be heard whether their views are in tandem with the status quo or not.   All people are created equal and therefore their views, whether we agree with them or not, must be heard and accommodated in a democratic dispensation,” he added.

The Oasis Forum also called on the government to quickly find resources for the holding of another referendum. The Forum stated that the just failed referendum that was held simultaneously with the last General Elections was as the result of poor timing and the lack of awareness of its importance by the public.

“We can cannot stress enough how crucial it is to the welfare of the Zambian people that the resources be found to conduct another referendum as soon as possible. We strongly believe that the said referendum must be people driven and avoid any connotation of spear heading a partisan agenda,” Fr. Lungu said.

Oasis Forum Chairperson emphasized that in order to address some of the shortfalls in our current constitution, as it has been demonstrated by the unfortunate series of events that has rocked the country in the last few weeks, there is need for the introduction of an enhanced bill of rights.


∽Ends∽
↧

KENYA: Porticus calls for more collaboration among Donor Agencies and Organizations

October 21, 2016, 9:04 am
$
0
0
By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News


Porticus Africa Regional Director, Christine Bodewes has said that collaboration has remained a major setback in the implementation of projects and is an issue that is cross cutting among the donor agencies as well as organizations, religious congregations as well as associations that work for a common goal. Bodewes said this while addressing Religious Sisters during the Hilton Foundation Convening in Nairobi on Tuesday October 18.

She wondered why it was difficult for both donors and organizations being funded to work together. “Individually we are able to do tremendous work, but collectively I have serious questions about it. 

The lack of collaboration is very imminent and one wonders, what is going on, what is preventing us from working together?” She regretted that the tremendous amount of competition for resources by the various organizations, as well as the donor pressure could be responsible for the needs for collaborations.

She challenged the participants to think about how we can balance our work with the poor and the need for collaborations because I am convinced more and more that if we don’t collaborate we are not going to get very far." She cited the example of Association of Religious Women in Uganda (ARWU) who put their minds and resources together and are now working to develop high quality formation program for the young women entering religious life.

“I find this an incredible example of collaboration. All of these women are busy, they are superiors of their congregations but they managed to get around a common need and a really important one,” she said.

She also challenged her fellow brothers and sisters from the donor world to think of how they can be better collaborators. Her concern was that it was not fair that they challenge their beneficiaries to collaborate when they as donors do not collaborate.

Bodewes believes that if Associations are strengthened they can be a very strong centralized structure for all women religious not just a particular congregation. “We are convinced that we can do more if we work with the associations and aggregate at a micro level for good work.”


∽End∽
↧

KENYA: KCCB embraces Self-Sustainability Projects

October 21, 2016, 9:09 am
$
0
0
By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications KCCB

KCCB Bishops looking at the model
As a result of dwindling donor support, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has now embarked on constructing Great Jubilee mini-mall at the Jubilee Centre along Langata road, near Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Nairobi to support and sustain her pastoral and social development programs.

Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony at the site early in the week, KCCB Chairman and the Bishop of Homabay Rt. Rev. Philip Anyolo expressed hope that the over 500 million Kenya Shillings project would host a supermarket, exhibition stalls, food court and 240 vehicle parking slots was a beginning of the next phase towards financial sustainability.

Bishop Anyolo revealed that, the Church will be embarking on another bigger project to provide hostels to the people next to CUEA. “Besides accommodation, we expect the hostels to create an opportunity for pastoral care for the resident students.

The construction of the Mini- mall which is expected to revitalise the existing Jubilee Centre is
Ground Breaking ceremony
anticipated to be complete in a year’s time with the collaboration of Central Bank of Africa (CBA) as the project financers and Xin Xon Constructions among others.

The Bishops who were present during the ground-breaking ceremony included, KCCB Vice Chairman and the Bishop of Ngong Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa, Chairman of the KCCB - Finance Commission and the Bishop of Muranga Rt. Rev. James Maria Wainaina, Bishop of Kitui Rt. Rev. Anthony Muheria, Nairobi Auxilary Bishop Rt. Rev. David Kamau, and the Bishop of Lodwar Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich.


∽End∽
↧
Search

KENYA: Religious Congregations asked to remain focused on Church’s Mission.

October 21, 2016, 9:15 am
$
0
0
By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News

Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo speaking during the convention
The Secretary General of AMECEA Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo has appealed to religious congregations to remain focused on the mission of the church and be cautious of unhealthy competition that often times crops up when congregations tend to be divided from the mainstream Church. 

Fr. Lugonzo was speaking at the Hilton Foundation Convening held in Nairobi on Tuesday October, where participants included Superiors General of Religious Women Congregations from different parts of the world, Donor agencies and international partners.

While addressing the Sisters, Fr. Lugonzo said that, “It is important that the Catholic Sisters rediscover the vocation that they are all living as part of the mission of the Church. This is very important to be emphasised even in the formation period because if that focus in respect to different charisms is lost, then we forget that we are participating in the common mission of the Church, and then the competition begins.”

He challenged the religious congregations to complement the church and not work as though
they are in competition with the same church they are meant to serve. “My emphasis is, can we participate in the very mission of the Church emphasising our Charism, trying to do the work that we are called for but within the mainstream of the mission of the church?”

He observed that religious women are very friendly people who more than just being personal friends know how to capitalize on this friendship to make good out of it. These relationships should then move to reflect the structural elements, creating enabling environment where they can work with the institutional church in a structured way.




∽End∽
↧
↧

MALAWI: Chikwawa Dioceses lays foundation stone Shrine Construction

October 28, 2016, 2:57 am
$
0
0


By Prince Henderson, ECM Communications Officer

Fr. Vincent Mwakhwawa, The National Pontifical Missionary Societies
 of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi Led the Occasion of  
Laying of the Foundation Stone for the Shrine
Nsanje Parish of Chikwawa Diocese of the Catholic Church has taken an initiative to construct a Shrine at a place where the first Missionaries buried a medal of the Blessed Virgin Mary underneath a Baobab tree they planted upon their arrival in Malawi from Holland in 1901.

Parish Priest for Nsanje Parish, Fr. Michael Hussain said the first Missionaries who were the Montfort Fathers came all the way from Holland through Indian Ocean connecting to Zambezi River then Shire River on a mission to spread the word of God in Malawi.

“By burying the medal of the blessed Virgin Mary, these missionaries only wanted to symbolize that they were dedicating all their missionary work to Mother Mary, the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is against this background that Parishioners of Nsanje Parish, would like to construct this place as a historical place,” said Fr. Hussain during a Missionary Sunday celebration, a day aimed at promoting missionary works in the Catholic Church throughout the whole world.

He said this project should not be regarded as a project for Nsanje Parishioners or Catholic faithful alone but should be regarded as a national historical project as it carries the country’s historical facts in terms of Christianity in Malawi.

“We will put up a simple structure for the mean time but our plans are that we build a Chapel at the side where people will come to pray, then a hostel and we may even think of constructing a school,” he said.

The National Pontifical Missionary Societies of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Fr. Vincent Mwakhwawa who laid the foundation stone concurred with Fr. Hussain that indeed the place is a historical one and keeping its history will be ideal.

He said the first missionaries came to Malawi to preach to us the word of God and they are still preaching to us through various means hence time has come for Malawians too to become missionaries to others. It was for this reason that the Catholic Church set aside the month of October as Missionary month where Catholics world-over celebrate World Mission Sunday and as such encouraged to pray Holy Rosary daily.

His Lordship Peter Musikuwa who led the Holy Eucharistic Mass in his message from the Holy Father “Missionary Church, Witness of Mercy” centered on the missionary activities done by the Church as true visible signs of God’s mercy.

He said all that the Church does in taking care of the spiritual and bodily life of people on earth is a witness of Mercy. This witness comes from the joyful encounter with Jesus Christ. Thus, he called upon all to open up their hearts to Jesus Christ and then to the needs of other people.

∽End∽
↧

ETHIOPIA: Ethiopia warmly celebrates World Mission Day

October 28, 2016, 2:57 am
$
0
0


By Makeda Yohannes, CBCE Communications and Public Relation Officer

Religious Congregations and the faithful in the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa gathered at the Nativity Catholic Cathedral on November 23, 2016 to celebrate World Mission day with a Thanks Giving Mass. The event was organized by the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Ethiopia. This was the first time in the country that World Mission Day was celebrated centrally as one missionary family.

In his Homily Fr. Hagos Hayish, C.M., Secretary General of the Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat said that spreading the Gospel is a mission given to each and every one of us. “We witness the Gospel through our deeds and so we are missionaries, let us contribute to the spread of the Good News by using the grace bestowed upon us by God to live the Gospel in our homes with our families and by supporting the men and women missionaries who have dedicated their lives to this task,” he said.

Fr. Seyoum Fransua, PMS in Ethiopia National Director and ECS Deputy Secretary General on his part said that Christianity is the fruit of many sacrifices by missionaries. “Based on the order of Our Lord Jesus Christ ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ (Mt. 28: 18-20) missionaries have taken up the task of spreading the Good News and today our Universal Church has more than 1.2 billion Catholics throughout the world. This is the fruit of missionaries as well as kind and dedicated Catholics through the centuries,” he said.

He also added that world Mission Day is being celebrated in every parish of all the Dioceses under the theme Missionary Church. He explained that celebrating mission day centrally creates the opportunity to bring together all the missionaries together and join the Eucharistic celebration to thank God for their mission and also know each other better. The PMS National Director also added that there is a plan to expand the culture of celebrating mission day together to the rest of the Dioceses in the coming years.

After the Holy Mass all the congregations working in the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa showcased their Pastoral and Social activities using visual material. At the end of the event Lay faithful who participated in the event expressed their joy saying it created a better awareness for them about the importance of missionary work.

PMS in Ethiopia is engaged in various evangelizing activities in the country supporting particularly the spiritual aspects of the faithful.

∽End∽
↧

VATICAN: Pope Francis meets with the principal Christian religious leaders of South Sudan

October 28, 2016, 2:57 am
$
0
0


Source: Holy See Press Office

The Holy Father Pope Francis on Thursday October 27 at the Vatican Apostolic Palace received in audience the principal Christian religious leaders of South Sudan: Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro of Juba, Rev. Daniel Deng Bul Yak, Archbishop of the Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan & Sudan, and Rev. Peter Gai Lual Marrow, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan.

In the context of the tensions that divide the population to the detriment of coexistence in the country, during the meeting with the Holy Father it was acknowledged that good and fruitful collaboration exists among the Christian Churches, who wish primarily to offer their contribution to promoting the common good, protecting the dignity of the person, protecting the helpless and implementing initiatives for dialogue and reconciliation. In the light of the Year of Mercy in progress in the Catholic Church, it was underlined that the fundamental experience of forgiveness and acceptance of the other is the privileged path to building peace and to human and social development. In this regard, it was confirmed that the various Christian Churches are committed, in a spirit of communion and unity, to service to the population, promoting the spread of a culture of encounter and sharing.

Finally, all parties reiterated their willingness to journey together and to work with renewed hope and mutual trust, in the conviction that, drawing from the positive values inherent in their respective religious traditions, they may show the way to respond effectively to the deepest aspirations of the population, which keenly thirsts for a secure life and a better future.

∽End∽
↧

KENYA: Six AMECEA Countries among the Beneficiaries of ASEC

October 28, 2016, 3:13 am
$
0
0


By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News

Sr. Jane Wakahiu, ASEC Executive Director
 and SLDI Project Manager
Religious Sisters from six AMECEA Countries are among 4500 nuns from across ten African Countries that have benefited from African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC), an initiative of Religious Congregations and four university presidents in Pennsylvania in the USA.

According to the Executive Director Sr. Jane Wakahiu, ASEC main goal is to provide access to education for Catholic sisters in Africa.

“Most of the Catholic Universities in the US were receiving applications from sisters from Africa wanting to study there. The founders therefore thought that providing education to African Sisters in African university meant that they would provide education to more sisters and within their cultural context. It was against this backdrop that ASEC was initiated in 1999 although major programs started in 2007,” Sr. Jane explained during an interview with AMECEA Online News in Nairobi.

The six AMECEA countries that have benefited from the program includes Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and South Sudan. The Other African Countries include Lesotho, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroun.

“We have five different programs that caters to the total number 4500 nuns that have benefited from ASEC. Our two major programs that are funded by the Hilton Foundation include the Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI) of which we provide basic technological skills, financial management as well as leadership skills.”

The other program funded by the Hilton Foundation is the Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA) project. To implement the project, ASEC has partnered with 23 universities across the ten countries where the sisters are enrolled to undertake their studies as they are and provided with scholarship.

The process involves application for the scholarship, which is made by the Religious Congregations. The ASEC Board then meet and do the selections based on the priorities that are outlined. The successful applicants are therefore notified and enrolled in the universities to undertake their studies.

Meanwhile speaking about the Hilton Foundation Convening that was recently held in Nairobi and which ASEC played a major role in organizing, Sr. Jane explained that ASEC wanted to elevate sisters to begin thinking about sustainable development goals that were ratified last year.

“We know that many religious sisters have heard about these sustainable development goals but they do not know how to connect their work with the goals. We have seen a gap on sisters’ inability or inadequacy in collecting data for their organizations and that data is what can exemplify sisters’ work of contributing towards the achievement of SDGs, for instance, through initiatives such as championing the girl child education and supplementing government’s efforts in providing health care services,” she explained.

Sr. Jane acknowledge the fact that religious sisters during their formation are taught about simplicity, therefore they do not encourage publicity on the achievements they have made. However, she said that time has come when the work of religious sisters must be recognised so that they too can get funding from partners to continue advancing the SDG agendas.

~End~
↧
↧

ZAMBIA: Pope Francis Prays for Zambia’s Continued Peace

October 28, 2016, 3:13 am
$
0
0


By Mwenya Mukuka

Pope Francis has prayed that all the Zambian people will continue to pursue the common good for a more peaceful and just society. He also commended Zambia to the providence of the Almighty God and prayed that all Zambians may enjoy peace and prosperity.

The Pope said this in a message of congratulations to His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu President of the Republic of Zambia on the occasion marking Zambia’s 52nd independence anniversary.

“I extend cordial greetings to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens on the happy occasion of Zambia’s National Day. In praying that all in the nation will continue to pursue the common good for a peaceful and just society, l willingly invoke upon you the blessings of the Almighty God,” the Pope said in a letter to the President.

Zambia got independence from the British on 24th October, 1964.

∽Ends∽
↧

KENYA: Church in Africa Evangelizing through SCCs

October 28, 2016, 3:54 am
$
0
0


By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications KCCB

Group Photo of the Participants of the Pan-African
Meeting on Small Christian Communities
Strengthening and networking of Small Christian Communities (SCCs) in Africa and beyond can be a major contribution of the African Church to the World.

Small Christian Communities is focused on "Christians coming together for prayer, scripture reading, catechesis and discussion on human and ecclesial issues with a view to a common commitment. These communities are a sign of vitality within the Church, an instrument of formation and evangelization, and a solid starting point for a new society based on the 'civilization of love.'" (Pope John Paul II)

In an interview with the Auxiliary Bishop of Bukoba Diocese in Tanzania Rt. Rev. Methodius Kilaini during the third Pan-African meeting in Nairobi early this week, said that the idea of SCCs started in Zaire in 1961, after the II Vatican Council explained the Church as a family of God.

Bishop kilaini also said that the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) countries embraced the idea in 1973 and made it official in 1976 after which different Conferences in Africa started rolling out the program in the Dioceses and Parishes.

Rt. Rev. Methodius Kilaini,
 Auxiliary Bishop of Bukoba
The Bishop of Bukoba who has ten years of experience in planning of the activities of the Small Christian Communities from the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) is now focused on networking the SCCs to enhance evangelization throughout the World.

“We are meeting to make the program more systematic by creating social media platforms such as WhatsApp groups, websites, blogs and Facebook to help interact, exchange ideas and share experiences with the World.” He said, adding that the Catholic faithful in Germany have already shown interest and the next focus will be in Europe.

The one week meeting that brought together 16 participants from Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Germany and Democratic Republic of Congo, was funded by Missio.

∽End∽
↧
Search

SOUTH SUDAN: AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas Department Conducts Training in South Sudan

October 28, 2016, 3:54 am
$
0
0



By Antony Mbandi, Coordinator AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas Department

Group Photo of the Participants of  AMECEA Justice  Peace 
and  Caritas Training on Emergency Response in Conflict 
Held in Juba South Sudan
The AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas department with the support of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has just concluded yet another successful training on emergency response in conflict scenario for church agents.  The two (2) day training took place in Juba, South Sudan, with the focus being how the local affects the development of rapid, effective and efficient humanitarian response especially where there is conflict.  The training, which was targeted at church agents included priests, religious nuns and laity working with catholic justice and peace commissions at various levels. There was also representation from the caritas, health and social communications departments of the South Sudan Bishops Secretariat. The sessions started with an overview of who AMECEA is and also the reasoning behind ensuring the capacity of church agents in the AMECEA region is fit-for-purpose.

In the training a lot of issues surrounding the South Sudanese conflict were discussed. Critical issues that were raised include the lack of proper education system, which looks beyond academic work but also knowledge transfer on the value of a nation.  This theme was raised consistently and resonated well with the need to seek consensus in a conflict as we develop a humanitarian response.

Another issue that came up according to the clergy was the need to have the South-South Dialogue as was envisaged in the 2005 peace agreement. This according to discussions would unlock the current grid-lock in discussions and will bring on board the 64 tribes of South Sudan to the table to define their future.

The need for the regional and the international community not to give up on South Sudan was raised.  Concerns from the participants indicated that the feeling of despair was creeping into the communities and for sure within the church agents with the never-ending conflict seeming to declare doom for the young nation. This was also mirrored in the discussions on emergency response especially when the level of need heavily outweighs the assistance available and in some cases where the assistance available is curtailed by violence or war.  A good example is delivery of the mission appeal that was undertaken by Caritas South Sudan could be hampered by the current political climate though it received a good response from the Caritas family.

As was stated by one of the participants “Hunger is bullet number one”. The people of South Sudan have not been able to produce since the economic activities have been disrupted.  With low productivity including agricultural, the pending catastrophe may not be fully appreciated by many who do not live in South Sudan.  It was clear to the participants that advocacy, neutrality and reconciliation are elements that are key in ensuring that humanitarian response achieves any meaningful impact.

In conclusion, the participants were encouraged to remain steadfast to the mission of Christ.  They were also reminded that the church remains a strong voice for the voiceless.  The participants appreciated that the training had taken place especially in Juba as this showed solidarity of AMECEA with the people of South Sudan.

∽End∽
↧

UGANDA: Catholic Medical Bureau holds workshop for Diocesan health coordinators to highlight the need to increase capacity in the health sector

October 28, 2016, 3:54 am
$
0
0


By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference

A section of the participants at the technical workshop
As part of its aim to promote better public health practices in the country, the department of Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau (UCMB) of the Uganda Episcopal Conference organized a two-day technical workshop for the diocesan health coordinators, diocesan board members and HIV focal persons in the 19 dioceses.

The workshop was held from October 25-26 in Kampala Ecclesiastical Province under the theme of, “Financing for Universal Coverage of Quality healthcare: Exploring Practical Options for the Private not for Profit in Uganda.”

Martha Nakuya addresses  the 
participants at the workshop
According to the program officer for human resources of UCMB, also the chief organizer of the workshop, Martha Nakuya, the main objective of the workshop was to give updates and feedback to the three mentioned target groups to enable the smooth running of the quality services within the Catholic health network in the country.

“It was geared towards giving updates and feedback about the need to increase capacity in the field of health sector in the country, overall national health development in the diocesan health sectors, the general performance in the lower-level health units in the all the 19 dioceses as well as updates about the UCMB health network,” she said.

The workshop was also aimed at giving the target groups patients-satisfaction feedback which is always conducted in all the 19 dioceses on annual basis.

“Through this workshop we also got to learn from how best we can mobilize resources for the health sectors in the country. Thus, we have to think ahead amidst all the challenges especially since funding has reduced in the health sectors,” she added.

The two-day workshop was facilitated by key figures from the United States Agency for International Development, top Diocesan health coordinators and the UCMB Executive Secretary.

A total of 45 participants from the 19 dioceses took part in the workshop. This is the second technical workshop this year to be organized by UCMB. The first workshop was held in April for the diocesan health coordinators to share field experiences in the different dioceses on quality focused interventions and practices in health sectors.

∽End∽
↧
↧

KENYA: Developing Guidelines and Research on Small Christian Communities in Africa among Recommendations of Nairobi Meeting

October 28, 2016, 3:54 am
$
0
0


Source: CANAA News

Participants at the just concluded Pan-African meeting on Small Christian Communities (SCCs) would like Bishops’ conferences in Africa to develop guidelines on SCCs and institutional of higher learning to get involved in research on and promotion of SCCs on the continent.

The meeting was a follow up of two previous workshops, the first held in Ghana’s capital, Accra in 2014 and the second in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The participants agreed to start an independent African SCCs Networking Website with its own domain name under the address: www.africansccsnetworking.org

Other recommendations included the formation of a steering committee to spearhead the networking of SCCs on the continent and beyond, writing of articles on SCCs, and a theological appraisal of SCCs in the modern world.

The Missio-sponsored meeting brought together sixteen participants from seven countries. They made presentations on SCCs from their respective local churches and discussed the achievements and challenges of SCCs on the continent.

The participants expressed their commitment to realizing the Pan-African network of SCCs through annual meetings as well as the sharing of “best practices through social media and Internet.”

Below is full text of the communique issued at the conclusion of the meeting
COMMUNIQUE OF THE 3RD PAN-AFRICAN WORKSHOP ON THE FOUNDING OF A NETWORK OF SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN AFRICA HELD IN NAIROBI-KENYA (21st to 25th OCTOBER, 2016).

PREAMBLE
We, participants of the Pan-African Workshop on the Founding of a Network of Small Christian Communities in Africa assembled at “Des Places House” (Provincial House of the Spiritans) in Nairobi – Kenya, from 21st to 25thOctober 2016, to share our experiences and evaluate the situation of the Small Christian Communities as a Pastoral priority in Africa and beyond.

Sixteen participants from seven countries attended the workshop. These included Rt. Rev. Method Kilaini (Auxiliary Bishop of Bukuba diocese-Tanzania), Michael Meyer (Missio - Germany), Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo (AMECEA- Pastoral department), Fr. Charles Odira (KCCB – Commission for Pastoral and Lay Apostolate), Ronald Sunguti (Nakuru-Kenya), Michael Orondo (Nairobi-Kenya), Fr. Stephen Mukami (Nairobi-Kenya), Fr. Vincent M. Elimah (Spiritan - Kenya), Fr. Noel Mpati (DRC), Sr. Jose`e Ngalula (DRC) Sam Yacinthe (Burkina Faso), Confe` Bernadette (Burkina Faso), Fr. Alfred Chaima (Blantyre -Malawi), Fr. Justin Matepa (ZCCB-Zambia), Fr. Stefano Kaombe (Tanzania) and Fr. Joseph Healey (Maryknoll-Kenya) .

The following were the presentations at the Seminar:
  • Keynote Address by Right Reverend Method Kilaini
  • Background of the Pan African Workshop Network of Small Christian Communities- by Mr Michael Meyer
  • Progress of the Network of Small Christian Communities since its launch in 2014 in Accra- Ghana by Fr Joseph Healey
  • Experiences of Small Christian Communities from each member country
  • Experiences from St. Kizito Small Christian Community of St. Austins Parish-Nairobi, Kenya-by Mr Michael Orondo.

The aims of this workshop were:
  • to evaluate the situation of the Small Christian Communities in Africa and to look for ways of promoting them in the continent and beyond
  • to share best practices while learning from our challenges
  • to form a Pan- African Network of Small Christian Communities in Africa

OBSERVATIONS
On the basis of the various presentations and general discussions participants observed both fruits and challenges:
Some fruits of Small Christian Communities:
  1. 1.They represent the Church as a communion of faith, hope, love and unity among the people of God
  2. 2.They are vital cells of evangelization, a field of inculturation and localization of the church
  3. 3.SCCs have improved means of communication within the church structure
  4. 4.They have deepened knowledge of Scripture for Christ's faithful
  5. 5. They have reinforced the role of the laity in decision making
  6. 6. They actualized self-reliance by promoting a self-propagating, self-ministering and self-supporting church at grassroots
  7. 7.They are venues for building strong leadership of the laity
  8. 8.They are an easy and authentic way of promoting sacramental life of the people of God
  9. 9.They provide a wider base for active participation of the laity in church
  10. 10.They promote good relations with other religions and denominations

Some Challenges of Small Christian Communities
1. Size of the SCCs: Most SCCs are too big to deserve the name Small Christian Community. Consequently, there is no adequate mutual support given the members
2. Illiteracy: Rural areas are largely non-literate. Such people are at the mercy of their literate neighbors
3. Ignorance of the Social Teaching of the Church renders the faithful vulnerable to Pentecostalism
4. Indifference by some priests: Some priests do not show any interest in SCCs, hence activities in such SCCs go unmonitored and the faithful become demotivated
5. Monotony of programmes makes SCCs boring, leading to loss of enthusiasm and interest
6. Money demanding: Some Small Christian Communities have become money-collecting centers for the parish. With time the faithful get fed up and start shunning the meetings
7. Exclusion of Children and the Youth: Most activities laid out for SCCs do not address the needs of children and the youth
8. Male Absenteeism: Men are less active than women and rarely attend SCC meetings
9. Social status, ethnicity and geographical setting are impediments for regular attendance of some members in SCCs
10. Differences in eligibility for sacraments and Christian burial breed divisions in SCCs

COMMITMENTS
On the basis of the challenges outlined above, participants made the following commitments:
  • To form a Pan –African Network of Small Christian Communities
  • To promote Small Christian Communities in our countries and bring more members on board
  • To support a steering committee that has been selected and mandated to coordinate the networking
  • To meet annually on a rotational manner in different countries of Africa
  • To share the best practices through social media and internet

RECOMMENDATIONS
With due respect to the recommendations of the previous meetings held in Accra-Ghana and Ouagadougou–Burkina Faso in 2014 and 2015 respectively, the participants agreed:
  • To start an independent African SCCs Networking Website with its own domain name. The internet address is: www.africansccsnetworking.org. It should include the Missio SCCs Network logo. The website will have dialogue/discussion pages in English, French and Portuguese.  This will be a revised and updated version of the “original, temporary” African SCCs Networking Website (what we call the trial or Beta version) created in April, 2016 that has the internet address (URL): http://www.topsoftchoice.com/secam_scc/
  • To mandate the AMECEA Pastoral department to manage this newly created website on SCCs Networking
  • To encourage people from all 54 countries in Africa to send articles on SCCs
  • To form a steering committee of a sizeable number to spearhead the network on SCCs
  • To encourage conferences to develop guidelines on SCCs
  • To involve institutions of higher learning in research and promotion of SCCs
  • To make theological appraisal of SCCs in the modern world
  • To emphasize on statistical data as an authentic tool for pastoral planning. 

CONCLUSION
In all these we recognize the blessing of God in the fruitful work realized during the workshop.
We are grateful to the Superior and the entire community of the Holy Ghost Fathers at "Des Places House" for according us a conducive environment to hold our workshop.
We also wish to express our gratitude and appreciation to our Partner Agency Pontifical Mission Society-Missio Aachen, the Local Organizing Committee, the presenters and the various groups and individuals for their invaluable contributions.
We are indebted to bishops, superiors and families for responding positively to the invitations we sent by sending participants to this workshop.
We finally thank the participants for coming and for their active participation.
We entrust the fruits, commitments and recommendations of this workshop to the Blessed Mary ”Mother of God’s Word” and “Mother of Faith”, “the one in whom the interplay between the word of God and faith was brought to perfection”.(Verbum Domini 27).

Signed by:
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel CHIMOMBO
AMECEA PASTORAL COORDINATOR

Given at "Des Places House"-Nairobi, Kenya: Tuesday, 25th October, 2016.
↧

MALAWI: Cardinal Filoni to Consecrate Karonga Cathedral

October 28, 2016, 4:24 am
$
0
0


By Prince Henderson, ECM Communications Officer


The New Cathedral of Karonga Diocese, 
St. Joseph the Worker
All is set for the consecration of the newly built St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral of Karonga Diocese, one of the eight dioceses of the Catholic Church in Malawi on Saturday, November5. The Confirmation was made by the publicity secretary of the organizing committee and spokesperson of the Diocese of Karonga Rev. Fr. Joseph Sikwese.

A cross section of people including His Eminence Fernando Cardinal Filoni, who will be the main celebrant for the Eucharistic celebration, the Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia Most Rev. Julio Murat, Archbishops and Bishops have been invited. President of the Republic of Malawi Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika and his Deputy Saulosi Chilima have also been invited.
Rt. Rev. Martin Mtumbuka, 
Bishop of Karonga

“Cardinal Filoni who is the Prefect of Propaganda Fide comes to the Diocese of Karonga as the special envoy of Pope Francis,” said Fr. Sikwese.

According to Fr. Sikwese, the Diocese of Karonga was created on 21 July 2010 and St. Mary’s Parish was declared the Cathedral but unfortunately it was damaged by a series of earthquakes in 2009 and early 2010.

“The Church was abandoned because it was a dangerous death-trap.  Another site for the Cathedral was identified at Iyegha, about 5 kilometers to the west of St. Mary’s Parish, along the Karonga-Chitipa road.  Iyegha was under Chaminade Outstation.  Meanwhile St. Anne’s Parish is being used as the Pro-Cathedral of the Diocese of Karonga,” he said.

Fernando Cardinal Filoni, 
Prefect of Propaganda Fides
Fr. Sikwese said construction of the Cathedral Church began in November 2012 and every Catholic Christian was asked to contribute one brick to the project which was successfully done.

According to Fr. Sikwese, construction of the Cathedral has been made possible with financial assistance from Propaganda Fide, the Coppel family of Mexico, Church in Need, Archdiocese of Indinapolis in the United States of America, the Archdiocese of Cologne in Germany and the Diocese of Jombe in Tanzania. 

The Church has the capacity of 1000 people and the motto of the Cathedral is: Deus Providebit.

Karonga diocese has six Parishes and with the coming in of the new Cathedral, there will be seven. Sixteen priests are available in the diocese. The ordinary of the diocese is Rt. Rev. Martin Mtumbuka.

∽End∽
↧

SOUTH SUDAN: SOUTH SUDAN: AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas Coordinator pays a courtesy call to the South Sudan Bishops Secretariat

October 28, 2016, 5:33 am
$
0
0


AMECEA Online News Correspondent

Mr. Antony Mbandi, with the Secretary General to the
 South Sudan Catholic Bishops' Secretariat
 Fr. Charles Abbud in his office in Juba
The AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas Coordinator, Antony Mbandi, visited the Secretariat of the Bishops in South Sudan, Juba. During the visit Antony was welcomed to the secretariat by the Secretary to the South Sudan Catholic Bishops Secretariat, Fr. Charles Abbud Edward.

Fr. Charles, appreciated the visit and he invited AMECEA to continue supporting South Sudan especially in these times of turmoil. He reiterated that the suffering of the people of South Sudan has reached unprecedented proportions.  A good example he gave was the need for the secretariat to have armed police guarding it after a series of failed attempts to break into the secretariat.  He indicated this was a sad development especially thinking that people have reached a point of wanting to rob the church, which has been helping in times of need.  He further encouraged AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas department to develop more modules especially in the areas of peace building, conflict management, and other areas that the department might be able collaborate with the social arms of the church.

The Coordinator also held discussions with Director of Caritas South Sudan especially looking at the just concluded emergency appeal.  In his remarks Mr. Gabriel Yai thanked the Caritas fraternity that had come to the aid of South Sudan especially in times of need.  He also mentioned that more could be done especially on developing the institutional capacities of Caritas South Sudan. He further decried the continued emergency situation in South Sudan, which seems not to stop.

On his part the Justice Peace and Caritas Coordinator promised to continue seeking ways to work with all the stakeholders in South Sudan so as to find ways of improving the living standards of the people and especially seeking ways of bring peace to the young nation.  Finally, he conveyed the message of solidarity from the Bishop Chair of Justice Peace and Caritas Department Rt. Rev. Joseph Anthony Zziwa (Bishop of Kiyinda-Mitiyana), The Secretary General of AMECEA, Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo and the entire staff of the AMECEA Secretariat.

∽End∽
↧
Viewing all 5989 articles
Browse latest View live
Search