AMECEA Bishops meet in Ethiopia for Plenary Assembly

Vatican News Africa Service – Vatican city.

Vibrant diversity and equal dignity

The Ethiopian Catholic Church has pronounced itself ready to host the 19th Plenary Assembly of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), this week, from July 13 to  23 July in Addis Ababa. The theme of the plenary is “Vibrant diversity, equal dignity, peaceful unity, in God in AMECEA Region.” The information is contained in a press release made available to Vatican News, Monday.

Ethnic diversity must not be source for strife

The Catholic Bishops in Eastern Africa and parts of Southern Africa chose this theme to emphasise the beauty of diversity. The Bishops want to demonstrate that cultural differences or diversity should neither be seen as a threat nor as a source of conflict.

 “We see ethnic-based violence in different parts of our (African) region, and yet ethnic diversity is a beautiful gift from God which we need to embrace. Being different is a beauty, it also provides us with an opportunity to learn from one another. In this Plenary we will transmit this message to our people and also decide how the Catholic Church can work towards achieving peace and harmony among peoples in our respective countries,” the Bishops stated.

AMECEA Plenary takes place every four years

The AMECEA Plenary will be inaugurated officially on Sunday, 15 July with a grand Eucharistic celebration whose liturgy will follow the Oriental (Ethiopian) Rite. Several high-ranking officials from the Holy See, senior government officials of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, diplomats and other dignitaries are expected to attend the opening ceremonies.

The Catholic Church in Ethiopia has been preparing for this event over the past four years and says it is ready to receive the AMECEA Bishop-delegates as well as partners from different parts of the world.

Ethiopia is hosting the plenary for the first time ever.