The Inter-diocesan Peace and Cross Border Evangelization initiative held its 3rd Conference from 6th to 10th December 2014 in Lodwar under the theme: “Collective Responsibility: Peace Across All Borders”. The conference was attended by Bishop Dominic Kimengich of Lodwar, County Government leaders, representatives from collaborating dioceses and leaders of other religious groups, they focused on approving the Five Year Strategic Plan to embark on connector projects for the region. At the end of the meeting, the following were the approved resolutions and recommendations.
RESOLUTIONS1. This Conference resolves to advocate for disarmament of the civilian population at all levels (family, village, region and nation), and will endeavour to convince the respective Episcopal Conferences to lobby their National Governments to implement this, even unilaterally.
2. This Conference resolves to demand from the respective national governments to exercise their mandate to fully protect the population and their property, particularly during and after the disarmament process.
3. This Conference resolves to mandate the Executive Committee to engage proactively with all peace actors in the region, in order to coordinate plans and activities.
4. This Conference resolves to execute programmes and plans to eradicate the excessive intake of alcohol, especially amongst members of conflicting groups, since it has been identified as a major contributor to the perpetration of violence.
5. This Conference resolves to adopt in full the just approved Pastoral and Developmental Five Year Strategic Plan and strive to implement it.
6. This Conference resolves to embrace the “Hybrid Approach” in the implementation of peace building activities.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. This Conference recommends its members to involve the inducers, the perpetrators and the victims of violence when they organize their activities, rather than just discussing issues with the innocent.
2. This Conference recommends the involvement of the relevant members of the government administration and political leaders in specific peace building activities.
3. This Conference recommends that all its members concentrate their efforts in being faithful to peace building and evangelization rather than just completing programs.
4. This Conference recommends, as our specific contribution from a Faith based approach, that all members seek the personal transformation of those who are in conflict as a long lasting solution.
5. This Conference recommends its members to deepen their commitment to the peace processes they are engaged in, and to create lasting networks of peace builders in their areas.
6. This Conference recommends all our delegates to immediately make use of the human and material resources as well as social assets locally available to achieve the goal of peace.
The Bishops of the dioceses of Lodwar, Kitale, Nakuru (Kenya), Kotido, Moroto (Uganda), Torit (South Sudan) and Gimma Bonga (Ethiopia) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate in promoting cross border peace and evangelization in Karamajong – Turkana cluster.
People in this arid region have been affected by wars, insecurity, underdevelopment, high levels poverty, cattle rustling and inadequate social services. The Inter-Diocesan Peace and Cross Border Conference was initiated in order to promote collaboration in enhancing integral evangelization among neighboring dioceses in the region.
SOURCE: Fr. Febian Pikiti Mulenga, AMECEA Pastoral Department