AMECEA: Launches 20th Plenary Assembly in Tanzania, Unveils Logo

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

AMECEA 20th Plenary Assembly Logo

The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) on Sunday, November 7, launched the upcoming 20^th Plenary Assembly of Catholic Bishops in Tanzania and unveiled the logo to be used for the same.

Presiding over the Sunday ceremony, President of Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), Archbishop Gervas Nyaisonga appealed for sincere cooperation between all the faithful, the people of God and the bishops’ conference.

Being the hosting country, Archbishop Nyaisonga of Mbeya Archdiocese said, “Let’s provide enough cooperation for the success of this event from now on until after the plenary. The conference is coordinating preparations for the general meeting and will reach out to various groups including government agencies. So our main request is cooperation.”

He reminded the people during the event that was also televised, that the theme of the 20^thplenary focuses on caring for the environment hence, “We need to change our attitude towards the environment and teach others the importance of caring for it.”

The launch that was marked by lighting candles to represent the nine AMECEA countries, is expected to be held in July 2022.

“The symbol of candles is a sign of transmitting light to other people especially during this period of Plenary so that through us, people may know about the assembly and the need to care for the environment,” Archbishop Nyaisonga said.

Meanwhile explaining the logo for the 20^th plenary Assembly in an interview with AMECEA Online Wednesday, November 10, Fr. Chesco Msaga the TEC’s Deputy Secretary General who participated in its design said various symbols used in the logo are significant to the plenary.

“The round shape represents our world and Mount Kilimanjaro which is the highest mountain in Africa, our pride,” Fr. Chesco narrated and continued, “The Giraffe is a national symbol of Tanzania where the Assembly will take place and a sign that we care for Mother Earth which is a home for all creatures while trees and grasslands symbolizes our desire to make the whole world green.”

According to Fr. Chesco, the logo for the  Plenary themed: Environmental impact on Integral Human Development,  was designed by various people including AMECEA Plenary steering committee, the Communication and Pastoral directorates and PMS (Pontifical Missionary Society) department. It has various colors such as “White and yellow which signify our belonging in the Universal Church; the green colour denotes our desire to make the whole world greener; and the black crucifix is our colour as African people.”