The Secretary General for the Association Members Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo has expressed satisfaction over the way Malawi is preparing for the July, 2014 AMECEA Plenary Assembly to be held in Lilongwe, Malawi.
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| Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo and Fr. Chrisantus Ndaga during the meeting in Malawi |
Fr. Lugonzo said this when he attended a Preparatory meeting by the main organizing committee on 14/12/2013 at Catholic Secretariat in Lilongwe, Malawi in which a report of the preparation was presented by the Committee’s Chairperson Mr Peter Kulemeka.
According to Kulemeka, all the Committees entrusted with various roles are working hard to achieve their goal by the end of the day.
“The role of the committees which are comprised of the Clergy, religious men and women and the laity is simply to reflect on the anticipated requirements for the conference and the upkeep and well-being of the delegates. The scope of the committee’s roles include: identifying suitable conference facility, accommodation and transport for delegates, undertaking publicity activities, arranging for liturgical, security and protocol services and mobilizing resources. I therefore feel we are doing enough on all these scopes, “said Mr Kulemeka.
Mr Kulemeka told the meeting that the Plenary will be held at Bingu International Conference Centre, President Hotel in the City of Lilongwe.
He said the venue has been recommended as it is conveniently located in the centre of the City of Lilongwe and has the facilities required for the conference.
On Publicity activities, Mr Kulemeka briefed the meeting that the committee responsible has prepared a Communications Strategy to guide them.
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| Mr. Peter Kulemeka reading a report to committee members |
“Press Releases and a Press Briefing on the AMECEA Plenary have been published and announced by media houses in Malawi. By now almost every Malawian and Catholic Christians in particular are aware of this great event coming next year,” he said.
The other Committee that presented its reports was the Finance and Fundraising.
The Committee briefed the meeting that it estimates that the conference will cost about $400,000 and as a way of raising the funds, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi had asked Catholic Christians to support the realization of these funds.
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| Some of the Plenary Committee members who attended the meeting |
Already, a number of fundraising activities which included; Dinner, Gospel Bash have taken place.
Meanwhile, Fr. Lugonzo who was accompanied by the AMECEA Communications Secretary, Fr. Chrisantus Ndaga has challenged the Committee to remain focused for a successful preparation ahead of the Plenary.
Malawi will host the 18th AMECEA Plenary from 16th to 26thJuly. About 300 delegates from the member countries which includes the host Malawi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia are estimated to attend the.
The theme of the plenary is “New Evangelization through True Conversion and Witnessing to Christian Faith”.
Source: Prince Henderson, Research & Communications Officer-ECM