AMECEA NEWS

Ms. Merhawit Chala, the National Child Nurturing
and Protection Officer at Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat

By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News

The National Child Nurturing and Protection Office at the Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat (ECS) is set to carry out an intensive campaign on awareness creation for the Child Nurturing and Protection Policy. According to the Officer in Charge of the National Office Ms. Merhawit Chala, this is part of the activities lined for the implementation process of the Ethiopia Catholic Church Child nurturing and Protection Policy which was officially launched at the Conference on 22^nd May 2018.

“We have just established the office here at the Catholic Secretariat after revising the policy and therefore we feel the need to create awareness among people who are in contact with the children starting from families and workers at institutions which are under the Catholic Church. However, in the future we will expand to other institutions that work closely with children and are not owned by the Catholic Church,” she explained.

This awareness creation will be about what is included in the policy, what ought to be done and what ought not to be done especially when handling children in schools, health centres and other different organizations managed by the Catholic Church in the country. According to Ms. Chala, the awareness campaign program is already made.

“We also intend to publish the policy and have it distributed throughout the country especially in all the Catholic Institutions. We have also developed some guidelines on code of conduct and commitment form which will be signed by all people who are involved in child protect. We are currently on production of the relevant documents and then the awareness campaign will start soon.”

Apart from the campaign the Conference also intends to carry out capacity building for those working with the children on child protection. Meanwhile they are planning to establish Child Nurturing and Protection structures in all the 13 dioceses in Ethiopia.

Other activities which will come up later in the year include exposure visits in the region, and elsewhere where the child protection policy has been successfully implemented. According to ECS Secretary General Rev. Abba Hagos Hayish, CM, after the event of the 19^thAMECEA Plenary Assembly in Addis Ababa, the conference plans to hold different workshops in various dioceses in the months of October and December where they will invite the Parish Pastoral council members, elders, youth activists and different faith groups.

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H.E. John Cardinal Olorunfemi, Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria

By Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth

His Excellency John Cardinal Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, the Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria has warned the religious leaders to be conscious on how they relate to politicians. “Religious leaders should avoid temptations to collude with politicians for material gain,” said the Cardinal who was speaking at the 2^ndAnnual International Conference on Sustainable Peace and Security in Africa at Tangaza University College in Nairobi, Kenya.

“When there is confusion, both religion and politics suffer and in this case the religion suffers more. Where religion marries politics, naturally politics becomes the husband,” Cardinal Olorunfemi explained during his Keynote speech at the two-days’ conference which commenced on 23^rd to 24^th, May 2018 was under the theme: Religion and its contribution to conflict and peace building.

A section of the Participants of the 2nd Annual International
Conference on Sustainable Peace and Security in
Africa at Tangaza College

“What must we do? We must all stay awake, vigilant and alert and be one another’s keeper,” he said while calling upon all the religious leaders from different faith groups to always dialogue together for mutual understanding and peace reminding them that when there is no peace among the religious leaders, then they cannot give that same peace to anyone.

He further appealed to all Christians and Muslims to awaken and be vigilant while at the same time being one another’s keeper.

During the conference representatives from Coastal Interfaith Council of Clerics (CICC) Fr. Willibard Lagho and Sheik Ibrahim Sheekue, shared their experiences on the conflicts between Muslims and Christians which has been ongoing for quite a while. “Christians and Muslims have been in conflict and always living in suspicion,” said Sheik Ibrahim the chairman of Lamu Interfaith Peace organization. “We had to call clerics from the Christians and the Muslims to dialogue, and it is then that the CICC was formed,” Sheik Ibrahim recalls.

Group Photo of the Participants of the Conference

On his part, Sheik Rashid Omar, the Deputy Chief Kadhi of Kenya, affirmed that we are all from the same creator and there is no need of one religion to feel superior to the other. “People are deep rooted, have relations, values and norms which they share and this calls mankind to be one” he explains.

Sheik Rashid Omar, donated Qur’an to the participants as a sign of building peace among the Christians and Muslims, as he encouraged the Christians to read the Qur’an and understand what the Muslims believe.

The conference was convened by Tangaza University College: Institute of Social Ministry in Mission together with other partners: Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Catholic Justice and peace Commission (CJPC), Justice Africa, Jesuit Hekimani Centre, AGEH mitmenschen, Ziviler Friedensdienst Civil Peace Service, Malaika Foundation (MF), Children’s Peace Initiative Kenya and Horn of Africa Grassroot Peace Forum.

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Portrait of Zambia Catholic Bishops

By Mwenya Mukuka, ZCCB Communications Officer

Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) Secretary General Rev. Fr. Cleophas Lungu has affirmed that the Catholic Bishops are more than ready to be part of the leading team in the dialogue process. This follows an appeal by the President of the Republic of Zambia H.E. Edgar Lungu for necessary space for the church to join the leadership of the dialogue process.

Fr. Lungu told a local TV station in Lusaka that the church has always been ready to collaborate with any stakeholder not only in the dialogue process, but also in facilitating reconciliation.

He further said that the church is prepared to engage all political parties in the country in the dialogue process and be able to provide spiritual guidance to the nation adding that the Catholic Church is also more than ready to collaborate with any international organization such as the Commonwealth in the dialogue process.

Zambia is in the process of planning a national political dialogue meeting aimed at ironing out political tension in the country after the 2016 presidential and general election. Commonwealth tasked Nigerian born Professor Ibrahim Gambari to initiate the dialogue process between the ruling party, the opposition and civil society organizations.

Meanwhile Caritas Zambia has urged all stakeholders in the planned national political dialogue to ensure the process is rooted on Christian virtues such as justice and peace.

In a statement Caritas Zambia Executive Director Eugene Kabilika said that the dialogue process should be sincere and all-inclusive.

“This reconciliation itself must be firmly rooted on Christian values of truth, mercy, justice and peace,” Mr Kabilika said.

He further called on all well-meaning Zambians to participate in actions that will help to bring Zambia back to the correct trajectory, where human rights are truly respected, transparency and accountability is cherished, poor people especially small-scale farmers are protected from displacements, the integrity of creation is respected and all people in Zambia are treated equally.

“Only genuine, sincere and inclusive dialogue aimed at national reconciliation is the long-term solution. This reconciliation itself must be firmly rooted in the Christian values of Truth, Mercy, Justice and Peace,” he said.

He reiterated that the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) stand ready to collaborate with all key stakeholders in Zambia and lead it into a genuine process of dialogue and reconciliation anchored on truth and Justice.

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By Sarah Pelaji, TEC

Rev. Fr Anthony Lagwen

The Holy Father has appointed as bishop of Mbulu, Tanzania, Rev. Fr Anthony Lagwen, of the clergy of the same diocese, who until his appointment was the bursar of the same ecclesiastical circumscription.

The Apostolic Administrator of Mbulu, Most Rev. Isaac Amani broke the news of the appointment to the faithful saying; "I have the honour and joy to announce to you the good news that Pope Francis today May 22, 2018, in Rome has announced the appointment of Rev Fr. Antony Lagwen to be a New Bishop of Mbulu Diocese."

Archbishop Amani said, "After many years of prayers God has heard our prayers and the work that is before us is to prepare for his installation as the shepherd of the diocese.”

The Bishop-Elect on his part thanked the Holy Father for the appointment and asked the faithful of Mbulu to continue praying for him and for the diocese so that they may all be able to effectively fulfil God’s mission for the diocese and the universal Church.

The Bishop-Elect was born on 5^th July 1967 in Tlawi, in the diocese of Mbulu. After primary studies in his native country and secondary school in the Sanu minor Seminary in Mbulu, he studied Philosophy in the Saint Anthony Seminary in Ntungamo, Bukoba, and Theology in the Saint Paul interdiocesan major Seminary in Kipalapala, Tabora. He was ordained on 18 October 1999 for the diocese of Mbulu.

Since priestly ordination he has held the following offices: from 1999 to 2000: parish vicar of Bashay; from 2000 to 2004: studies in Business Administration at the Saint Augustine Catholic University of Tanzania in Mwanza; from 2004 to 2009: bursar of the Diocese of Mbulu; from 2009 to 2011: studies at the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute in Arusha; since 2012: bursar of the Diocese of Mbulu.

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The Basilica at Namugongo Catholic Shrine

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

With less than a week to the 2018 Uganda Martyrs Day (UMD) celebration, pilgrims are in high spirits ahead of the much anticipated event due June 3 at Namugongo Catholic Shrine.

On Saturday May 26, 2018, hundreds of pilgrims from across the country will throng Munyonyo Martyrs Catholic Shrine to take part in a 10 km pilgrimage dubbed ‘Walk of Faith’. The ‘Walk’, which is part of the pilgrims’ spiritual preparation for the UMD celebration, is normally held to enable Christians experience the Martyrs’ pain and their last moments on earth in a commemorative walk.

The symbolic pilgrimage will begin from Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine since it’s the place where King Mwanga II made the decision to execute the Martyrs for their strong Christian faith, and conclude at St. Matia Mulumba Parish in Old Kampala, a place where St. Matia Mulumba (one of the Catholic Martyrs) was killed.

The first three Catholic Martyrs, namely, St. Denis Ssebuggwawo, St. Andrew Kaggwa and St. Pontiano Ngondwe were killed at Munyonyo on May 26, 1886. However, some were killed along the way, while others were burned alive in Namugongo on June 3.

The Walk will be flagged off by the Archbishop of Tororo, Most. Rev. Emmanuel Obbo and the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, who will also be the chief walker.

During the walk, the pilgrims will make two stopovers for prayers at strategic sites where some of the Martyrs were killed, before proceeding to the final destination at St. Matia Mulumba Parish where they will have a celebration of Holy Mass, presided over by Archbishop Obbo of Tororo Archdiocese.

A boy carries a cross as he leads other pilgrim
during the 2016 'Walk of Faith' pilgrimage

Tororo Archdiocese (Youth Office), which animates this year’s celebration, has organized the pilgrimage in collaboration with the National Youth Office of Uganda Episcopal Conference and Uganda Tourism Board. This will be third edition of the ‘Walk of Faith’ pilgrimage since its launch in 2016.

Meanwhile, Novena prayers will be held at Namugongo Catholic Shrine from May 25 to June 2, 2018, just a day prior to the actual celebration. Catholic faithful across the country are called upon to participate in the novena prayers seeking the intercession of the Martyrs. A novena is a nine days of public or private prayer made in preparation for a feast or to seek special graces.

The Uganda Martyrs Day celebration usually attracts millions of enthusiastic pilgrims from across the world to commemorate the heroic faith of the Catholic Martyrs, who were burnt to death on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II, the then king of Buganda between 1885 and 1887, for refusing to denounce their faith.

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The 90 year old foot pilgrims from Bushenyi,
Mzee Bernado Tibyangye, who is also the oldest
pilgrim to arrive at Namugongo so far

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

Pilgrims from across the world have started arriving at Namugongo Catholic Shrine, a week to the 2018 Uganda Martyrs Day (UMD) celebrations.

By Tuesday 22nd May, 2018, over 50 people had already arrived in small groups, with the largest delegation being that of 12 foot pilgrims from St. Kagwa Catholic Parish Bushenyi in Mbarara Ecclesiastical Province. The Bushenyi pilgrims arrived at Namugongo on 22nd May, 2018 having left their home on 9th May 2018. Among the foot pilgrims in that group is Mzee Bernado Tibyangye, who is in his 90s, also the oldest pilgrim to arrive at Namugongo so far.

“This is my seventh year in a row to come here for this celebration,” Mzee Tibyangye said in an interview adding “When I was young I used to pray through St. Andrew Kaggwa, one of my favorite Uganda Martyrs, and I would always ask him to intercede for me so that my faith grows stronger each day.”

“This year, I want to ask the Uganda Martyrs to intercede for my family for peace and provision as well as other unmarried families so that they can be able to respond to God’s calling. I also want God to heal my feet so the pain that I am feeling can stop. This healing will be a testimony to many old people so that they can start coming for this pilgrimage,” he added.

Prior to this Namugongo pilgrimage, the 90 year-old had visited Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine in Rwanda twice last year in the months of July and September for a spiritual pilgrimage. Kibeho a small village in Rwanda is known as a place of apparition where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1981.

The Bushenyi group also comprised of two minors, Crescent Tindimwebwa 11 years and Bamwesigye Bruno aged 10 years. The two young pilgrims, who came with their grandmother, are now referred to by many as ‘Kizitos’, one of the youngest Uganda Martyrs.

“This journey wasn’t easy as I spent almost 14 days walking on foot. But, God gave me courage and strength to keep walking and I know that He will surely bless me. This is my first time to come for this Namugongo pilgrimage, and I came to pray for healing because I have a problem with my eyes and legs,” said an excited Crescent.

The two young foot pilgrims from Bushenyi who
were among the first to arrived at Namugongo
on May 22, 2018

Other first pilgrims to arrive at Namugongo include Janete Owitia Merci, 67 years from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Owitia, who is the first International pilgrim to arrive, started her journey on Friday 18th May by bus, and arrived on Monday 20th May.

According to the person in charge of pilgrims at Namugongo Catholic Shrine, Emmauel Obong, the foot pilgrims are camping on the shrine grounds ahead of the June 3 celebration.

“More than 50 pilgrims started arriving here over the weekend. We have put up a tent outside the Church that they can use for shelter ahead of the UMD celebration. We expect thousands more to arrive during the course of the week,” said Obong.

Meanwhile, about 7,000 foot pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Tororo have started their pilgrimage to Namugongo today 25th May 2018, and are expected to officially enter the Shrine on 31st May 2018. The pilgrims were blessed and officially flagged off by the Archbishop of Tororo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Obbo on Sunday, 20th May 2018 at the Uganda Martyrs Cathedral in Tororo. The Archdiocese will lead this year’s UMD celebrations.

International pilgrims from the following countries have also notified Uganda Catholic Secretariat about their attendance: Malawi (110), Tanzania (330), Kenya (300), South Africa (63), Nigeria (40), Zimbabwe (21), DRC (524), Japan (7) and USA (12).

Pilgrims, especially those who intend to travel to Namugongo on foot, have also been advised to go for thorough medical check-up before starting the journey to avoid injuries along the way or preventable deaths.

Namugongo Shrine, the venue of the Uganda Martyrs Celebrations

The Uganda Martyrs Day celebration usually attracts millions of enthusiastic pilgrims from across the world. Millions of these pilgrims usually travel by air, by bus and on foot to mark this celebration which transforms many people’s lives. Their (Uganda Martyrs) intercession has transformed many lives and has become the source of strength amid the challenges and difficulties many Christians go through in their lives.

In the Catholic Church, the Martyrs are venerated for their heroism in professing and witnessing to their faith. They have an intercessional role for those who are still struggling in life’s journey to join them triumphantly at the end of their earthly lives.

The June 3rd celebration usually marks the commemoration of the heroic faith of the Martyrs, both Catholic and Protestant, who were burnt to death on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II, the then king of Buganda between 1885 and 1887, for refusing to denounce their faith.

This year’s celebrations will be unique as it will mark 100 years since the martyrdom of Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa, the two young catechists that were killed at Paimol, Agago district in 1918

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Group photo of the Training Participants

By: Stella Zulu, ECM Communications

The Bishop Chairman for the Catholic Secretariat, Most Rev. Tarsizio Gervazio Ziyaye, has asked Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) Finance Officers to demonstrate professionalism and manage finances with integrity and make ethical decisions at all times as custodians of Catholic institutions finances.

The call was made during the opening of a five-days Executive Training in Financial Management jointly organized by AMECEA and ECM at the Catholic Secretariat in Lilongwe. The training is a continuation of the Capacity Building Training on Leadership and Management which was done in 2016.

In his remarks, Archbishop Ziyaye affirmed that, Catholic institutions must demonstrate integrity in managing finances to secure donor trust and for sustainability of these institutions.

“Catholic Institutions like the Catholic Secretariat, finance departments in our dioceses and seminaries must completely develop and maintain proper accounting systems and internal controls, ensuring transparency and accountability by allowing external auditing processes, be able to develop institutional budgets and instil budgetary controls, develop strategies for efficiently and effectively managing cash and comply with national local government tax requirements, evaluate and recommend investment proposals. These will contribute to the achievement of the church’s pastoral and social needs,” Archbishop Ziyaye said.

The Archbishop also thanked AMECEA Secretariat for partnering with United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in offering capacity building programs which ECM has been a beneficiary. He encouraged the officers to utilize the knowledge they will gain from the training, as the bishops who entrusted them with the work of managing the finances expect them to do more.

“These programs are good because they are meant to empower agents of evangelization in the AMECEA region. As you are all aware that the church is not a maintenance church, we have to always forge ahead and therefore, you need these trainings so that you share knowledge and deepen your financial management skills for your best performance,” he said

A section of the Participants during the training

The officers were also encouraged to be diligent in their work by identifying and mitigating every form of financial mismanagement such as corruption, fraud and theft and avoid any form of financial mismanagement by being vigilant not to be influenced by what is happening in secular institutions.

In his remarks, the Secretary General for AMECEA Secretariat, Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo said one objective of AMECEA is to identify common problems faced by the region and think out common and possible solutions together revealing that, a research carried out in the region found out that, the Catholic religion has a lot in terms of institutions and facilities, of which most of them have been established by missionaries but most of these are run down.

“After the sad fact came out, a proposal was made that in order for us to be sustainable; we need to enhance our capacity in how we are managing our institutions and facilities. We believe that whatever is affecting one country in the region, if AMECEA puts its mind together and think out a solution, we can solve it in a better way. We believe that when our institutions have proper financial systems, better policies and right people running out financial departments then we can move ahead in a better way,” said Fr. Lugonzo

He added that the objective of AMECEA is that the officers should share knowledge and experience that they have and build the capacity that will help them have better management skills of the institutions.

The training which started on Monday 21^st May and ended on Friday 25^thwas attended by officers from finance departments of all dioceses and other Catholic institutions in the country.

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By Rose Achiego, KCCB

Rt. Rev. Norman King’oo

In 1968, Blessed Pope Paul VI in his encyclical Humanae Vitae prophetically reminds people, of God’s noble original design for the married love of husband and wife, namely the inseparable bond between unitive and procreative.

In his Keynote address at Tangaza University Collage on 31^st, May, 2018, the Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) – National Family Life Office and the Bishop of Bungoma Rt. Rev. Norman King’oo said that Blessed Paul VI warned that a widespread contraceptive mentality would lead to marital infidelity and a general lowering of moral standards which he confirms has come true.

Speaking to participants during a symposium to launch the celebration of Humanae Vitae golden jubilee celebration slated for 24^th-30^th, July, 2018, Bishop King’oo noted that there are many threats facing the family today causing the change in its concept.

He cited the need for responsible parenthood through transmission of faith and social values, appropriate teaching regarding the natural methods for responsible procreation, the need to respect dignity of the person in morally assessing methods in regulating births, the adoption of children, orphans and the abandoned and accepting them as one’s own.

“There is dire need for effective catechesis regarding abortion by encouraging parents to take care of the child, rather than procuring abortion, continuous promotion of pro-life programs and to strengthen more the Abstinence Behaviour change program for the Youth(ABY) which teaches about the consequences of abortion,” Bishop King’oo said.

He added that, all members of the family are family pastoral and evangelizing agents. This includes teachers, priests, Religious nuns who should embrace their responsibilities in this area with a passion encouraging all learning institutions to stand up and promote holistic education.

Speaking at the same time, KCCB General Secretary Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Rono emphasized that the main purpose of the symposium is to affirm that the teaching of Pope Paul VI in his encyclical Humanae Vitae confirms the Church’s Magisterium to counter the ideologies of contraceptives as a serious sin against human life and that conjugal love is free, total, faithful and fruitful in the lives of the married man and woman. “This upholds to the fundamental truths regarding the nature of Marriage as conceived, not by men but by God Himself,” Fr. Rono added.

He also said that, as Christians, there is need to properly understand and acknowledge sexuality

as a God-given gift, ordained for the splendor’s purpose of conjugal union and procreation hence sex can never be separated from its purpose and that conjugal activity means so much for family life warning that it is wrong to diminish it to abortifacients, abortion, contraceptives, sterilization, surrogate motherhood, invitro-fertilization and related vices or deny its full reality to committed love and openness to life.

Continuously, the Church has denounced and condemned the mistakes and abuses committed against marital union and recommended the necessary remedies to restore Christian Marriage as echoed in the Second Vatican Council, where the Church affirms the dignity and the Sacredness of human life and sexuality.

Some of the participants pose for a group photo with AMECEA
Social Communications Coordinator Rev. Fr. Chrisantus Ndaga
(3rd from right)

By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News

Diocesan ICT Personnel from Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) are the latest beneficiaries of AMECEA ICT Training for Conferences. Although not all dioceses participated in the training due to one reason or the other, those that managed to attend the training which was held in Nairobi from 21^st to 25^th May appreciated the initiative saying that the training covered well beyond their expectation.

“It was intensified, packed and we worked well through late hours of the night but I am delighted because we are taking back home loads of knowledge. Personally I have learnt a lot, which is way much beyond my expectation which was basically to know how to upload content on the website, expectation,” said Ms. Lucy Espila from Maralal Diocese.

According to Mr. Bernard Mberere, the AMECEA ICT Coordination Officer, the training basically involved website creation and administration using modern content management system (CMS).

A section of the participants during the training session

“We took into consideration the fact that some Dioceses already have websites, which were probably created and are managed on their behalf by outside contractors; our objective therefore is to train diocesan personnel on how to manage the websites by themselves. At the same time, many dioceses still don’t have websites at all. Hence, the need to create one. The training therefore had to cover both web creation and management,” Mr. Mberere explained.

At the end of the training, participants were able to create and administer a website. So far a number of Dioceses from Tanzania have received similar trainings and AMECEA is planning to cover the remaining dioceses in the near future. Zambia and Malawi have also benefited. Kenya became the fourth conference to receive the training and the remaining Dioceses from Kenya will be covered in the near future. Uganda Conference is scheduled to benefit next.

The trainings whose expenses were catered for by AMECEA Social Communications through the support from Healey Family Foundation are organized by AMECEA ICT office in collaboration with the National Communications Commissions from AMECEA Countries.

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By AMECEA Online News Reporter

SECAM and Germany Bishops in group photo with the

Apostolic Nuncio to Madagascar, Most Rev Paulo Rocco
Gualtieri.

The Vice Chairman of AMECEA, Most Rev. Thomas Luke Msusa, was among the Bishops of SECAM who participated in the joint meeting of African and German Bishops that was held in Antananarivo, Madagascar from 22^nd-27^th, May, 2018.

According to the Statement issued after the meeting whose theme was“Integral Human Development”, the convention was necessitated by the socio-cultural developments (some positive and others negative) of secularization and globalization that the world is traversing. The theme was also inspired by the Catholic Social Doctrine of Popes in the last fifty years, especially Populorum Progressio of 1967 by Blessed Pope Paul VI, in which he gave a critical definition of development, through Pope Benedict XVI’s Caritas in veritate of 2009 and the recent Encyclical Laudato Si’ of 2015 by Pope Francis.

In a statement signed by His Excellency Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi, Archbishop of Lubango, Angola President of SECAM and His Eminence Reinhard Cardinal Marx Archbishop of Munich-Freising, Germany, President of the German Bishops’ Conference, the Bishops made a reference to the social doctrine document of Blessed Paul VI Popularum Progressio noting that, In order to be complete and integral, human development must ensure the total well-being of every person and of every human society.

A group photo with the President of Madagascar, His Excellency
Hery Rajaonarimampianina (centre)

“It must involve the sustained growth of every one, ensuring that he/she enjoys just and peaceful relationships in a thriving environment of cultural, political, economic, social and spiritual wholeness among others. This wholeness should also include the well-being of his/her family, society and nature. In fact, it must also guarantee respect for the sacredness of human life, the dignity of every person and the integrity of creation, which Pope Francis calls “our common home” in Laudato Si’,” read the statement.

The Bishops resolved to be advocates of integral human development in their own countries as well as on the international scene even more effectively and more convincingly than before adding that the Church is a global institution, a global player, offering opportunities that needs to be used resolutely – with priority to the well-being of the poor and the integrity of creation.

The Bishops are looking forward to the next meeting of the African and German Bishops for more fruitful dialogue and exchange of ideas and thoughts towards greater ecclesial collaboration and communion.

By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News

Rev. Fr. Chrisantus Ndaga

AMECEA is planning to have a live video streaming of the opening ceremony of the AMECEA 19^th Plenary Assembly scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa Ethiopia from 13^th to 23^rd July, 2018.

According to Rev. Fr. Chrisantus Ndaga, AMECEA Social Communications Coordinator, the live streaming will be through an access link/channel, which in the due course will be given to all AMECEA Online News subscribers.

The initiative is meant to give access to people who are not able to attend the ceremony, an opportunity to watch the event live from wherever they will be; the opening ceremony of the AMECEA 19^thPlenary Assembly is scheduled for 15^th July.

Fr. Ndaga further explained that the live streaming of this historical event for AMECEA is vital in order to give a wider audience across the globe a gist of what will be happening during the opening ceremony.

Live streaming is a term used to describe the process of broadcasting live video footage or video feed to an audience accessing the video stream over the internet. The viewing device can be a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone or digital screen at home, at the office. The broadcast can be just video, audio or both.

Fr. Ndaga said that in general People love to watch events ‘live’ especially those of interest to them and he is sure that AMECEA 19^th plenary Assembly is of interest to many people. It is against this backdrop that the plenary preparatory committee has resolved to use this platform to reach out to as many people as possible.

He said the two preparatory committee teams (Ethiopia Catholic Bishops Conference and AMECEA Secretariat) are finalizing the preparations to ensure that the live streaming activity will be successfully.

“Live streaming in recent years, or live streamed events have become the ‘norm’ in the digital technology-world and globally-connected society. AMECEA is therefore going to use the live stream technology for live broadcast of its events for the first time in its history,” he said.

Fr. Ndaga, added that apart from Live streaming, other TV Channels and Media will also broadcast live the event.

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By: Stella Zulu, ECM Communications Office

Association of Women Religious in Malawi (AWRIM) launched a formation handbook to be used by formators from various congregations to guide in the formation of candidates who wants to live religious life to engage in a fruitful conversation with the Holy Spirit about one’s life.

Speaking during the event, chairperson of religious in Malawi, his Lordship George Tambala, thanked AWRIM for developing and launching such an important book and urged the congregations to use it properly in order to produce dedicated religious women.

“Formation should help a young person engage in a fruitful conversation with the Holy Spirit about one’s life. This book is a powerful tool for answering questions in a candidate. Every young person, upon joining religious life, ask herself the question “How shall this be? Like that of Mary when she was told she will have a child. Formation should help the candidate hear God say it will be possible let’s journey together. A candidate should be open and ask questions, it helps the formators to know her, don’t profess a candidate you don’t know,” Bishop Tambala said.

He also added that selection of candidates should be done carefully as this is the first most important step in formation.

“Let’s know exactly whom we are taking, give the right information to new candidates. Do not negotiate at the first stage, be clear. Remember the generation we are dealing with now is different from that of the past. The person should have deep values of religious life. Do not turn juniors into professionals, we will have trouble. Professionals are secondary in religious life, invest in properly,” His Lordship Tambala urged.

AWRIM Chairperson, Sr. Brandina Kamba said the association was so grateful to God for helping them in various ways until the book was produced.

The event was attended by mother superiors and formators from various congregations of all the dioceses in the country.

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

The wait is finally over! The much- anticipated 2018 Uganda Martyrs Day (UMD) celebration is due this Sunday at Namugongo Catholic Shrine.

Hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic pilgrims from different parts of the country and beyond have already arrived at Namugongo and more are still flocking in, with barely two days to the celebration.

According to the organizers, this year’s celebration is expected to attract over three million pilgrims. Millions of these pilgrims usually travel thousands of miles away either by air, bus or on foot to mark this celebration which transforms many lives.

This year’s UMD will be animated by Tororo Archdiocese and celebrated under a theme: “Let Us Walk in the Light of God as a Family” (1 John 1:5-10). It will be a unique celebration as it will be held concurrently with the 100 year’s celebration of the martyrdom of the two Catechists from Paimol, Agago District: Blessed Daudi Okello and Blessed JildoIrwa who were killed in 1918. The two Blessed Martyrs are usually commemorated on 18th, October but they will be remembered in a special way on 3rd, June, 2018.

Over 250 choir members from all the 12 deaneries in Tororo Archdiocese are also set to lead the hymns. The hymns and readings have both been translated into various local and international languages to cater for all pilgrims.

An official Souvenir Magazine has also been prepared for the day by the Publicity Committee. The magazine will have content about the life of the martyrs, and the official proceedings of the day including but not limited to the Order of Mass.

Meanwhile, police have promised to provide tight security on that day and have cautioned pilgrims against misbehaving at the Holy grounds as Namugongo is intended for pilgrimage. They have also issued traffic guidelines with security officials keeping a close eye on every person heading to the Shrine.

The 3^rd, June, 2018 celebration usually marks the commemoration of the heroic faith of the Martyrs, both Catholics and Protestants, who were burnt to death on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II, the then king of Buganda between 1885 and 1887, for refusing to denounce their faith. Twenty-two Catholic Martyrs were beatified on 6th, June, 1920, by Pope Benedict XV, and on 18th, October, 1964, Pope Paul VI canonized them as Saints.

Tororo Archdiocese will animate the 2018 celebrations on behalf of Tororo Ecclesiastical Province which comprises of the Dioceses of Jinja, Kotido, Moroto, Soroti and Tororo. Tororo last presided over the Martyrs Day celebrations in 1998.

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The Bishop Chairman of the UEC Lay Apostolate Department
addresses participants during the workshop

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

The Bishop Chairman of the Lay Apostolate Department (LAD) of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), Rt. Rev. Paul Ssemogerere has urged Catholic Lay leaders at various levels to be conscious about the wrong teachings within the church.

Bishop Ssemogerere said the only way the Faithful will remain strong in their faith is by the Lay leaders promoting true doctrines of the Church.

“We are aware that the lay faithful are not just spectators through baptism. In fact, they are in the front line of the Church as they make about 80% of the Catholic Church’s population. Therefore, it is our responsibility as lay leaders and sharers of priestly mission, to help them increasingly understand the right Church teachings and contribute to the growth in their faith,” said Bishop Ssemogerere.

The prelate was speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day Conference on ‘Pastoral Response to Wrong Teachings and Doctrines Affecting the Faithful’ held in Kampala from May 23-35.

He added that majority of the faithful have been misguided due to the increasing digitization in the networked world where more and more communication is becoming indirect.

Group Photo of the Participants

“People are increasingly communicating online through social media websites in order to keep stimulating different religious discussion. But, I am happy that this kind of workshop is happening because after this, we will have the authority to stand up and defend the authentic Church doctrines by informing, equipping and educating the lay faithful,” he explained.

The two-day workshop attracted over 40 participants including Diocesan Lay leaders and Youth Representatives from the four Ecclesiastical provinces, Youth Chaplains from various universities in the country, Catholic University lecturers, leaders of the Catholic Association of Professionals in Uganda and LAD staff.

The UEC Executive Secretary of
the Lay Apostolate Department,
Fr. Fred Tusingire addresses
the participants

Others who were in attendance are the UEC Executive Secretaries of Doctrine Department, Education Department and Pastoral Department.

The participants were taken through various topics: The Catholic Doctrine of Creation (Firm Foundation for a Culture of Life); Evolution and the Anti-Culture of Death; Abortion and Sex Education; Cosmology and the Christian Doctrine of Creation as well as Building a Culture of life on the Foundation of God’s Plan for Creation among others.

In his address to the participants, the Executive Secretary of LAD commended the lay leaders who contribute greatly to the unity and well-being of the Universal Church by regularly informing the laity on the Church doctrines.

He also thanked the Bishop for honouring his invitation at the workshop and the participants. The two-day workshop was organized by the UEC Lay Apostolate Department.

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Children and Teacher outside their old classroom

By: Stella Zulu ECM Communications Office

Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of Lilongwe Archdiocese officially handed over a newly completed two classrooms school block to Nambuma Boys primary school in Dowa District. The facility was built with funds from PMS Germany and Malawi under Holy Childhood projects.

The ceremony which took place on 16^th, May, 2018, in Nambuma Village was attended by several chiefs and people from surrounding villages. The event was spiced up by performances by the school children led by their headmistress Mrs. Perosperina Kalima.

Quoting Mark 10:14 where Christ says “Let the children come to me, do not stop them,” the Director of PMS in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Fr. Francis Lekaleka, urged parents to support the children in their education as well as in their spiritual life. Basing on the motto of Holy Childhood, “Children helping children”, he also urged the children to be generous to one another, just as the other children have been generous to them with the support of the school block. Fr. Lekaleka thanked Archbishop Tarcisio Ziyaye of Lilongwe Archdiocese for identifying Nambuma Boys Primary School to be one of the beneficiaries of the Holy Childhood funds this year.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Group Village Headman Malovu said his village was lucky to have such a beautiful structure planted and considers it as a blessing from God. In agreement with that, Primary Education Advisor of the zone, Mrs Chunga who represented the Ministry of Education praised the Church for the development and encouraged PMS to reach out to more schools who need such help.

The new school block donated by PMS Lilongwe Archdiocese

“This is the kind of development that we expect from the Church, It is not enough to brag about owning schools and yet you do nothing. With this development we are very happy as ministry and we urge you to do the same to several other schools that have big challenges not just classroom blocks but also teachers’ houses, toilets and teaching materials”. Said Mrs. Chunga

Meanwhile, Nambuma Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Samson Kumkumbira, commended PMS for the timely intervention after he had knocked on its doors pleading for assistance. He then advised the pupils and the surrounding community to take care of the facility.

Holy Childhood Projects for the children are implemented with funding from the Universal Solidarity Fund which is managed by the Society of the Holy Childhood on behalf of the Pope. Children from all over the world contribute to this fund. The Pope then allocates the funds according to the needs of the children in the whole world.

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Source: CRN

United Nation Mission in South Sudan has reported that more than 3,700 peacekeepers have died in their line of duty across the world since the beginning of the mission.

Speaking in Juba on 29^th, May, 2018 during United Nation celebration to mark 70 years of service and sacrifice, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan David Shearer said the figure includes 134 officers who lost their lives last year alone.

Mr. Shearer added that, the UN also mourns the loss of colleagues who have died in South Sudan Since 2011 expressing hopes that the Country can be able to attain peace this year.

Speaking at the same function, Senior Advisor & Presidential Envoy Nhial Deng Nhial however said that incidents of peacekeepers losing their lives in South Sudan is relatively low due to respect accorded to foreigners by the people of South Sudan.

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Sarah Pelaji, Dar es Salaam

The Youth Department of Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) has begun the implementation of Parish Community Bank (PACOBA) project in five Catholic Dioceses as a pilot project to initiate the self-employment attitude among the youth in the country.

The five dioceses taken as pilot areas of the three-year project sponsored by the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) include Bunda, Iringa, Same and the Archdiocese of Arusha and Songea.

The project intends to establish Parish Community Bank, at Parish level whereby a group of 15-30 will organize themselves to buy shares while Youth Department will top up with amount of Tsh 50 Million per diocese (approximately equivalent to USD 25,000) to boost their capital.

According to TEC Youth National Coordinator, Rev. Fr. Liberatus Kadio, the project is already on implementation phase, starting with Diocese of Same whereby 20 Catholic Youth went through a seven day training from 20^th to 27^th, May, 2018 in order to gain skills and knowledge of how to successfully implement the PACOBA project.

Fr. Kadio said that the project has three phases: The first phase is to provide entrepreneurship training to 20 youth in each Diocese (Five pilot dioceses) who will share knowledge with other youth in the parish. “These youth from 20 Parishes will form 5 groups for every parish to make it hundred in total for every Diocese intended.

The second phase is to monitor and evaluate the first phase before giving the beneficiary diocese Tsh. 50 million to increase their shares.

The third phase according to Fr. Kadio is to coordinate and establish office in each Diocese and each diocese will be given five million for purchasing of office equipment.

Commenting on the project during the opening of the training, Rt. Rev. Rogath Kimaryo of Same Diocese was grateful especially on TEC efforts to empower the Youth particularly at this time when the unemployment rate is increasing. “If we support the youth they will be responsible citizen and leaders who will stand for justice, " he said.

Rt. Rev. Markos Gebremedhin, CM, (right) with
H.E. Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel (center) during
the launch of Ethiopian Catholic Church Child Protection
and Nurturing Policy in Addis Ababa

By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News

Christians are commissioned to protect and nurture children as this is a responsibility given to all followers of Christ, says the Apostolic Vicar of Jimma Bonga, Rt. Rev. Markos Gebremedhin, CM. He was speaking at the official launching of the Ethiopian Catholic Church Child Protection and Nurturing Policy and the commissioning of the Diocesan Child Protection and Nurturing officers at the Bishops’ Conference Centre in Addis Ababa.

In his speech during the occasion, Bishop Gebremedhin said it was unfortunate that there exist different kinds of mistreatment and abuses to underage children in the world Ethiopia included.

“Such abuses ranges from physical abuse for instance, corporal punishment, child labour, child trafficking, sexual and psychological abuses and lack of awareness among the families on the right of their children, like the right to growth and education as well as and medical treatment.”

Bishop Markos further expressed that children who suffer abuse often develop psychological problems in future when they become adults due to the trauma they suffered and this could make them tend to be suicidal or have vengeful tendencies.

He explained that it is against this backdrop that the Bishops Conference of Ethiopia mandated the Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat ECS to developed a child protection policy document as a tool to create awareness among Church personnel such as priests, religious, school teachers, catechists, and youth leader and employees of the Catholic institutions.

“Owing to the seriousness of the matter, an office has been created at ECS to work on the issues of safeguarding Children and vulnerable adults. At the same time advisory committee has been established both at national level and delegates from each ecclesiastical jurisdiction,” he explained adding that the Catholic Church in Ethiopia is making efforts towards ensuring that in all its jurisdictions safety, wellbeing and dignity of children such as meeting their basic needs and providing better education is prioritized.

As they launched the Catholic Church Child Protection and Nurturing Policy on 22^ndMay 2018, Bishop Markos explained that as Catholic Bishops of Ethiopia they felt it was their responsibility to make the issue one a priority as they join the efforts of universal Church in protection of minors because the achievements of a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults requires the commitment of all.

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By Mwenya Mukuku, ZCCB Communications Officer

Caritas Zambia has observed with dismay that over the years, human greed among many leaders in Africa has become industrialized and commercialized.

In a statement issued to observe Africa Freedom day, which falls on 25th May, 2018, Caritas Zambia Executive Director Eugene Kabilika noted that although the continent has not experienced dictators coming through coups in the last 10 years, the number of dictators who use democracy to manipulate the electoral systems and the constitutions in Africa are slowly growing.

“The desire to get rich and live lavishly is pushing many young leaders into corruption and outright theft of public resources using legal frameworks and policies. This is the commercialization of greed. How can an individual live beyond their means if not by stealing. It is from this greed that our continent has been going through difficult phases of failed states, military coups, one man dictatorships , wars and conflicts, downright economic mismanagement, corruption, abrogation of press and individual freedoms which have made it very difficult for the African people to get out of the cycle of poverty,” Mr. Kabilika said.

He added that they have seen elected leaders amass unexplained wealth together with their subordinates in the shortest possible times of being in power and built mansions at home and abroad revealing that in Zambia, especially in the last five years, his organization has sadly witnessed a breakdown of governance institutions and an erosion of democracy.

“Human rights are violated and political opponents of the ruling party are harassed and imprisoned on tramped up charges. These are disturbing and retrogressive developments which unfortunately have also induced a culture of silence and fear among ordinary citizens,” He said.

Mr. Kabilika added that the very issue that freedom fighters fought and lost their lives for is being taken away from the poor by the rich and the powerful.

“We are talking about land. Caritas Zambia is extremely concerned that land in Zambia is slowly being taken away from poor Zambians and given to foreigners and those who have money. The creation of new districts has become a way of grabbing land from our dear Chiefs at the pretense of bringing development,” he said.

He wondered about a situation where the poor farmers are asked to surrender their valued land to the so called new districts only to be demarcated into plots which are sold to other people who are wealthy. “Isn’t that stealing from the poor? How can a poor old person who has been living in an area for 47 years, be told today to leave his village and go somewhere else? How do you compensate 47 years of somebody’s life?,” he questioned.

Mr. Kabilika added that his organization, just like Nelson Mandela, believes that “As long as many of our people in Africa still live in utter poverty; as long as children still live in the streets; as long as many of our people are still without jobs, as long as children are still being married off, no true African should rest and wallow in the joy of freedom.”

He said it is treacherous for the people of Zambia to hide their heads in the sand and behave as though they remain on course in terms of the achievement of shared national values stressing that, the fight for freedom must go on until it is won; until the country is truly free from exploitation, diseases, hunger, corruption, land grabbing and theft of public resources.

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Rt. Rev. Erkolano Lodu Tombe,
Bishop of Yei

Source: CRN

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Yei has urged the warring parties who are fighting in the bush to respect lives of the civilian.

According to a report by Easter Radio, Bishop Erkolano Lodu Tombe says both the government and armed groups should not involve the civilian in their differences because members of the public are not part of their problem.

Bishop Lodu added that the church will continue to lobby those in authority to respect the human dignity of South Sudanese.

He warned that if the government or armed groups continue to attack innocent people, they might force them to turn against them.

The Bishop was reacting following the displacement of over 1500 people from Jansuk and Minyori by armed oppositions in the area

No armed group has claim the responsibility for the clash yet.

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ETHIOPIA: Catholic Church to focus on Awareness Campaign for Child Protection Policy

KENYA: Archbishop of Abuja calls on Religious Leaders to be Cautious of politicians

ZAMBIA: Catholic Bishops Ready to Take Lead in The Dialogue Process.

TANZANIA: New Bishop for Mbulu Diocese Appointed

UGANDA: Pilgrims gear up for ‘Walk of Faith’ pilgrimage ahead of 2018 Uganda Martyrs Day

UGANDA: A 90 year-old among the first foot pilgrims to arrive at Namugongo for Martyrs Day celebration

MALAWI: Archbishop Ziyaye Calls for Transparency, Accountability and Professionalism in Financial Management

KENYA: The Catholic Church Launches Humanae Vitae – Family Centre of Love and Transmission

KENYA: AMECEA Conducts ICT Training to KCCB Dioceses

MADAGASCAR: AMECEA Vice Chairman participates in the SECAM/GERMAN Bishops joint Meeting

KENYA: AMECEA to Live Stream the Opening Ceremony of the 19th Plenary Assembly

MALAWI: Association of Women Religious in Malawi Launches Formation Handbook

UGANDA: All set for 2018 Uganda Martyrs Day celebration

UGANDA: Catholic Lay leaders urged to combat wrong teachings in the Church

MALAWI: PMS Donates a school block to Nambuma Boys Primary

SOUTH SUDAN: UN peace mission lost nearly 4,000 peacekeepers globally

TANZANIA: TEC introduces Parish Community Bank Project for the Catholic Youth

ETHIOPIA: Safeguarding and protection of children is a God given responsibility, says Bishop Gebremedhin

ZAMBIA: 'Greed among Africa Leaders industrialised and commercialized' - Caritas Director

SOUTH SUDAN: Bishop urges the warring parties to respect the civilian