Bishops of Eastern Africa start plenary with focus on environment
By Angella Rwezaula – Dar es Salaam
The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) started their 20th Plenary Assembly with an outdoor Mass on Sunday, 10 July, in the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium of Dar es Salaam.
The principal celebrant at the Mass was Cardinal John Njue, Archbishop Emeritus of Nairobi, Kenya, and the homily was delivered by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and representative of the Holy Father at the event.
Dr .Paolo Ruffini, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, is also present at the meeting, which is taking place on 10-18 July at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre.
The Plenary Assembly is being held under the theme, “Environmental Impact on Integral Human Development.”
AMECEA and Laudato si’
According to Chairman of AMECEA, Bishop Charles Kasonde, of Solwezi, Zambia, the 20th AMECEA Plenary Assembly will focus on the central message of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical, Laudato si’.
“This is an urgent challenge (for the world and the region) because environmental degradation and its impact threatens the very existence of humanity that Jesus came to save,” said the Zambian Bishop.
The Chairman of AMECEA applauded the Bishops of Tanzania (TEC) and Catholics in Tanzania for putting up resources together for preparations for the Plenary.
“We are very grateful to the Tanzanian Episcopal Conference that is hosting our special co-vocation so that we renew our strength to continue to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, so thank you very much for the hospitality by all our brothers and Sisters here in Tanzania,” said Bishop Kasonde.
Speaking to thousands of congregants that attended the opening Mass held at Benjamin Mkapa stadium in Dar es Salaam, the Chairman of AMECEA called upon the delegates for active participation.
“Let us make this 20th AMECEA plenary assembly a special ecclesial moment for the Church in Eastern Africa. It is my prayer that, guided by the spirit of pastoral solidarity, each one of us play their role to make this gathering a successful convocation.”
Bishop Kasonde further expressed his gratitude to God that the plenary has finally taken off following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Entering this stadium today, I felt gladdened, strengthened and encouraged by your faith and enthusiasm at this opening Mass of the 20th AMECEA Plenary Assembly. It is a miracle indeed that we can gather physically in this stadium after two years of Covid-19 lockdown which shook the entire world,” he said.
The Plenary has been officially opened under the theme “Environmental Impact on Integral Human Development”.
AMECEA: the association
The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) is a regional institution of Catholic Bishops in Eastern Africa with nine member countries, namely Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
Its secretariat, headed by a Secretary General, is based in Nairobi, Kenya. Djibouti and Somalia are affiliate members.
Since its inception in 1961, AMECEA’s distinctive contribution to the solidarity of the Church in the region has been the establishment and strengthening of participation, pastoral solidarity and collaboration anchored in the Small Christian Communities.
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