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KENYA: Full Text of a Communiqué Issued by AMECEA PDF Print E-mail
Written by Thanks to CISA   
Wednesday, 05 September 2007
The executive board of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA) concluded its two-day meeting in Nairobi today, and issued the following communiqué:

1.0. To our brother bishops, priests, religious and all God’s people in AMECEA Countries (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and the affiliate members of Somalia and Djibouti) “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:3).

We, AMECEA Patrons, members of AMECEA Executive Board, AMECEA Heads of Departments, gathered here in Nairobi at the AMECEA Secretariat from 30th to 31st August 2007 for our Executive Board meeting, wish to share with you some of the issues we discussed during the meeting.

2.0. In the spirit of collegiality and solidarity, the Board Members sent congratulatory messages to our brothers: Bishop elect Emmanuel Kanyama of Dedza Diocese, Rt. Rev. Joseph Sainte – Marie M.Afr. transferred to Lilongwe Diocese, Rt. Rev. Eugenio Mkhori, Bishop Emeritus of Lilongwe in Malawi; Rt. Rev. Alick Banda new Bishop of Solwezi Diocese in Zambia; Most Rev. Denis Kiwanuka Lote new Archbishop of Tororo, Most Rev. James Odongo, Archbishop Emeritus of Tororo Archdiocese, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Obbo new Bishop of Soroti Diocese and Rt. Rt. Rev. Erasmus Wandera, Bishop Emeritus of Soroti in Uganda; Rt. Rev. Johnson Akio Mutek of Torit Diocese, Rt. Rev. Paride Taban, Bishop Emeritus of Torit in Sudan; Rt. Rev. Cornelius Korir on his Silver Jubilee Celebration of priestly ordination.

We also send a message of condolences to Zambia Episcopal Conference, the Archbishop of Lusaka and all people of the Archdiocese of Lusaka on the passing on of Most Rev. Adrian Mung’andu, Archbishop Emeritus of Lusaka in Zambia. AMECEA Executive Board Members would like to send a message of get well soon to His Emminence Adam Cardinal Kozlowiecki, Archbishop Emeritus of Lusaka in Zambia.

3.0. The AMECEA Executive Board learnt with joy of the forthcoming opening of TV Tumaini in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. AMECEA Executive Board congratulates the Archbishop of Dar es salaam Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, his Auxilliary Bishop Rt. Rev. Method Kiliani and all the people of Archdiocese of dare s Salaam on this important development in the Church use of mass media to proclaim the Good News. TV Tumaini will officially begin broadcasting on 15th September 2007.

4.0. The AMECEA Executive Board would like to wish all Catholics and Ethiopians celebrating The Great Jubilee and New Millennium a celebration that will culminate in peace, unity and prosperity. May the celebration of this Great Jubilee of the Lord’s birth be a source of abundant blessings to all Ethiopians. The celebrations will begin on 12th September 2007 (the first day in the Ethiopian Calendar Year), and will end on 11th September 2008 (last day of the Ethiopian Calendar Year).

5.0. The Bishops deliberated on the importance of the Apostolate to Nomads and Pastoralists in AMECEA. They pledged to find ways to promote this apostolate to ensure that no section of the flock of God is left unattended.

6.0. We note with happiness the progress that Sudan is making in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that has given hope to the people of Sudan, AMECEA Region and beyond. We pray that peace will be maintained at all times and the CPA will be fully implemented. We further note the peace negotiations between the Government of Uganda and the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) in Northern Uganda. Though many challenges still lay ahead, we encourage them to remain steadfast and follow the peaceful path of resolving this long lasting conflict.

In view of the deteriorating peace situation in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa, we wish to express our concern and commitment in joining efforts of those seeking peaceful ways of resolving the problems in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa. It is our wish and desire as AMECEA Bishops that Reconciliation through Justice and Peace prevail within the Great Lakes Region and Horn of Africa. Indeed, this will be our main theme for our next 16th Plenary Assembly that will take place in Lusaka, Zambia in 2008. We commit ourselves to contribute to the efforts of bringing peace and reconciliation within AMECEA Region.

7.0. We are saddened by the on-going conflict in Darfur (Sudan) and the continuous suffering of the people in the area. Inspired by the spirit of the founding fathers of AMECEA, we wish to express our solidarity to the suffering people of Darfur. We strongly advocate for a peaceful and complete resolution to this problem by the active involvement of the African Union, United Nations and other international bodies.

8.0. We are grateful to God for the AMECEA countries that enjoy relative peace. We feel encouraged and wish them continued stability and especially Kenya which is preparing to hold presidential, parliamentary and civic elections before the end of this year. We pray for peaceful, free and fair elections, and that the citizens of this country will exercise their civic duty.

9.0. During this meeting, AMECEA Executive Board adopted and approved the resolutions from the Workshop attended by AMECEA Patrons, AMECEA Executive Board Members, Presidents of National Episcopal Conferences in AMECEA Region, AMECEA Secretary General, Secretaries General of National Episcopal Conferences in AMECEA Region, Heads of AMECEA Institutions and Departments. This workshop on Implementation of AMECEA Resolutions was held on 28th and 29th August 2007 at Lenana Conference Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.

10.0. May the Lord bless you all, and Mary Mother of God pray for us as we live the vision and dream of Solidarity and Collaboration of the founding fathers of AMECEA.

Signed by Most Rev. Paul K. Bakyenga, Archbishop of Mbarara, Uganda, Chairman of AMECEA.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 04 September 2007 )