Sarah Pelaji
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| Launch of AMECEA 20th Plenary Assembly preparations in Mwanza, Tanzania |
The inauguration took place on November 7th this year at the pilgrimage centre of the Virgin Mary of Kawekamo in the Catholic Diocese of Mwanza. It was inaugurated by the President of The Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) Archbishop Gervas Nyaisonga in collaboration with AMECEA Secretariat which was represented by the Director for AMECEA Pastoral Department AMECEA Fr Emanuel Chimombo.
Speaking at the inauguration, Most Rev. Nyaisonga said the main theme of AMECEA Plenary of 2022 is "Environmental Impact on Sustainable Human Development", adding that in 2015 the Holy Father Francis issued the encyclical letter Laudato Si which is a wake-up call on the care for the earth, our common home. This has driven the AMECEA bishops to reflect on what is happening about conserving environment in the region.
“We have a responsibility to evangelize ourselves first so that we can change our attitude towards the environment and remind the people about the importance of caring for the environment as we evangelize," said Archbishop Nyaisonga.
He also reminded the faithful of their responsibility to care for the environment as it has an impact on human development and thanked the leadership of AMECEA, particularly AMECEA president Bishop Charles Kasonde and Secretary General Anthony Makunde who were represented by Fr Chimombo for honoring Tanzania as the host of the forthcoming plenary.
He then called on the Catholic faithful from all dioceses in Tanzania to give their full support by cooperating with Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) in the preparation.
“TEC is coordinating all the preparations for the plenary. So, we will reach out to all the faithful at diocesan level and government agencies for your support and hospitality in receiving our guests from within and outside Tanzania.
This is time that we show solidarity as Tanzanians, to ensure a successful plenary and to prove that Africa is one,” he insisted.
He also urged the faithful to pray the AMECEA prayer so that the preparations may be led by God’s blessings and have a successful meeting.
For his part, Fr Emmanuel Chimombo thanked the Tanzania Episcopal Conference TEC for agreeing to host the conference.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of TEC, Fr Charles Kitima said the 10-days plenary shall be attended by bishops from nine Eastern African countries who shall reflect on environmental stewardship and ensure that Mother Earth is protected from environmental degradation.
"We are urged as human beings entrusted with the responsibility of governing all of God's creation to reflect on how we can make the environment better for us and the next generation.
This planet is all that we have; if we do not protect it, we will be in danger because destroying the environment is destroying the human life,” he explained.
He said that the Catholic Church in the country is determined to make Tanzania green by launching a family forest planting campaign that will allow family members to plant three trees.
For her part, the Deputy Minister for Land, Housing and Human Settlement Development, Ms Angelina Mabula recommended TEC for the efforts, saying the campaign would help save the country from the dangers of desertification.
"Although the government plans to plant 1,500,000 trees in each district, not all of them may grow but through this campaign we believe the success of tree planting in the country will be there and our country will be green," said Mabula.
The inauguration of the AMECEA Plenary was followed by a tree planting ceremony to illustrate environmental conservation.