WHEN DISASTER STRUCK!
Like a time bomb, it flamed up
With a simple spot
So small and petite
The noxious power in it was so enormous
Biopsy and histology interpreted
Benign or malignant, so they wondered
So my life had to change and to change for good.
Oh what a catastrophic Monday!
So the canto went
‘MJ’ the surgeon said
‘We are apt to heave out the entire breast’
The voice thundered!
So my life had to change and to change for good.
‘Oh Jesus No!’ I cried to the designer of my being
‘So my life has to change!’ I exclaimed
That brilliant day turned to peach dark
Life seemed to have stopped
Prayers vanished from my memory
Words from my mouth vanished
My tummy rumbled
Joy disappeared
Sadness took over the sovereignty of my life
No one, no comment, no love, no pal
Could quench the agony deep in my heart
So my life had to change and to change for good.
Immediately to hospital we rushed
My eyes remained blank
Darkness shrouded everything
I searched for tears
But the wells of my eyes deserted me
To scream I wished
But my energies were far exhausted
And I kept examining my heart
For suspicions I still existed
So my life had to change and to change for good.
Less than 24 hours later
Let me scream for the world to hear
Into your hands Lord I comment my life
On that cold surgery table I helplessly lay
Surgical blades on my skin
Lacerated into the risky, toxic, killer - lump
Deep into my fleshy tissues plus nodes they dug
As if probing for hidden fortune
My frail wounds they stitched
So my life had to change and change for good.
Once from the land of the departed I rose
Feeble and dozy was I
A merciless heartbreaking pain set in
Controlled my pain was
Little by little I improved
So my life had to change and to change for good.
As if pain was a joy to celebrate
Radiation! Radiation! Radiation! Medics advised
30 days under that assassin machine I lay
Daily, soundless, with none but my God
And when this was through
A more overwhelming prescription
So my life had to change and to change for good.
Chemo!
Six cycles they prescribed
Courage!
Everyone seemed to say
Exhausted, I lamented, I cried, I wailed
But the only line of attack was to face it bravely
Optimistic and pessimistic words
From innocent and educated, I listened
Yet my cross - I have to bear to Calvary my destiny
For my life has changed never to be the same again.
Then, when all was over
While I anticipated relief and strength
Complications showed their ugly face
Insulin and labetalol became my friends
From Physician to the next I went
But at last all was well again
My hair shot up, tinted nails began to clear
For my life had changed never to be the same again.
At the eve of my first birthday
A Survivor of this monster disease
I’m scripting this Testimony
Optimistic about life
Courage! Courage! Courage!
Those in a state such as mine
Life is more than Pain
Far gone is Yesterday
Celebrate the Present,
Tomorrow may be too late
Though life has changed never to be the same again.
A Blissful New Born am I
Active and Joyful
Though I’ll Never Be the Same Again
I Know My Redeemer Lives
For God has Transformed My Life
NEVER WILL I BE THE SAME AGAIN!
By Sr Marie Joe
A CANCER SURVIVOR.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
OPINION: Communiqué of the AMECEA 17th Plenary Assembly
AMECEA FAMILY OF GOD CELEBRATING THE GOLDEN
JUBILEE OF EVANGELISATION IN SOLIDARITY
The AMECEA plenary convened in Nairobi, Kenya from 27 June to 6 July, 2011
The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), comprising the Episcopal Conferences of Eritrea, Ethiopia, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and the affiliate members of Djibouti and Somalia met for their regular triennial Plenary Assembly to celebrate 50 years under the theme AMECEA: Family of God celebrating the Golden Jubilee of evangelization in solidarity, Nairobi, Kenya at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).
Preamble:
To all Catholics in the AMECEA region and people of good will:
We, the Catholic Bishops in the AMECEA region, together with our AMECEA Patrons, their Eminences the Cardinals greet you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Shalom!
CELEBRATING our Golden Jubilee with profound gratitude to God for His grace bestowed on AMECEA in the last 50 years;
APPRECIATING with prayerful thanksgiving the 60th anniversary of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI’s Priestly ordination;
ENCOURAGED by the presence, at our Plenary Assembly, of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples through the Secretary, Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, who also came as a special delegate of the Holy See;
AWARE of our failings and shortcomings in meeting our call to holiness as a Church leaders;
MINDFUL of the challenges ensuing from the First and the Second Synods for Africa;
INSPIRED by the deep insight of the AMECEA founding fathers both living and deceased;
HAPPY that the processes on the cause for the beatification of the Servants of God Maurice Cardinal Otunga, Bishop Vincent McCauley, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere have advanced;
EARGERLY awaiting the Apostolic Exhortation on the Church in Africa being at the service of reconciliation, justice and peace;
DETERMINED to forge ahead with confidence and solidarity in our mission of evangelization;
The 17th AMECEA Plenary Assembly hereby affirms the following:
1. A Word of Gratitude
As AMECEA Catholic Bishops, we express our sincere appreciation to the people of Kenya and acknowledge with deep gratitude the hospitality of the Kenyan people and in particular the welcome extended to us by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya, Hon. Mwai Kibaki who also invited us to continue fulfilling our prophetic role in society notwithstanding negative responses that our messages sometime receive.
The constant presence of the Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya during this Plenary Assembly and Golden Jubilee Celebrations reminded us of our communion and solidarity with the Holy Father. We are grateful for this.
We appreciate the efforts of the Kenyan Government, the security wings and other political and civic organs who contributed to the success of our Plenary Assembly and Golden Jubilee Celebrations. We thank our AMECEA Secretariat, the Kenya Episcopal Conference (KEC), staff and students of CUEA, the alumni of CUEA, St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary, Blessed Bakanja seminary, the choirs and parishes in the Archdiocese of Nairobi. In a special way, we acknowledge the support of the Holy See demonstrated through the delegates who attended the Golden Jubilee ceremonies. We are grateful to His Eminence John Cardinal Njue who hosted us in his Archdiocese and to His Grace Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai for gracing these AMECEA events.
The presence and contributions of our local and AMECEA region facilitators, guest speakers, priests, religious sisters and brothers, the laity and all those who came to pray with us during the Golden Jubilee Celebrations added substance and colour to the events of the last few days.
We do not forget to thank the missionaries, those living and deceased. They brought us the faith and we are what we are today because of them.
2. Solidarity With The New State of the Republic of South Sudan
We are grateful to God that the Sudanese comprehensive peace agreement of 2005 has ushered-in the new state of the Republic of South Sudan. We join our brothers and sisters in the Republic of South Sudan as they celebrate this milestone in their history. We pray that all categories of people and groups in the new Republic of South Sudan will lay down arms, embrace peace and work towards nation building. The new Republic of South Sudan should be a model of tolerance and unity in diversity.
As AMECEA Bishops we appeal to all member countries and Catholic religious congregations to translate their solidarity with the Republic of South Sudan into more practical means by committing personnel and resources to this new country.
We also urge the international community to continue to work towards achieving a lasting peaceful solution to the continuing conflicts in Abyei and Darfur.
3. Solidarity With Somalia
We are saddened by the unending war in Somalia. We deplore the suffering of the people in Somalia. We strongly advocate a peaceful resolution to this conflict and remain committed as AMECEA Bishops to do whatever is within our means to bring about peace to this country. We ask our Catholic faithful and people of good will to remember Somalia in their prayers.
4. The Youth in the AMECEA region
We welcome the celebration of the World Youth Day which takes place in Madrid, Spain from August 16 -21. This is one of the primary means by which the Church proclaims the message of Christ and expresses its concern for young people.
We urge all young people in the AMECEA region, who will be privileged to travel to Spain, to view this as a grace-filled opportunity of sharing in the vibrancy of our Catholic faith. More importantly, the Madrid experience should enthuse them with the love for others and the love of Christ. We pray that upon their return, this love will be manifest by their witness in schools, work places, parishes and homes.
5. Bishops as Authentic Leaders
As Catholic Bishops in the AMECEA region, it is our desire to strive for an authentic leadership style. We re-commit ourselves to the leadership style of Jesus Christ which is rooted in the rich Biblical images of Service, Shepherd and Steward. Through our actions, in unity with the Holy Father, we shall endeavour to act in humility, justice, fairness and love. In our actions, we will strive to manifest to the world around us God’s love, justice and care.
6. Ongoing Faith Formation of Catholic Professionals
As AMECEA Bishops, we have taken note of the need to accompany our Catholic professionals through on-going faith formation so that their faith can continue to be demonstrated even when they ascend to important administrative, civic and political offices. Our Catholic professionals should be men and women of faith who are socially and politically relevant to the African continent.
7. Catholic Presence in Learning Institutions
Catholic institutions of learning are optimal places of Christ meeting His people of all races and religions. The Catholic Church, since its inception, has valued learning and established institutions to promote learning of people at all levels. Through education, the Catholic Church has been able to evangelise and participate in developing responsible members of society.
As Bishops of the AMECEA region, it is our intention to establish more learning institutions from primary schools to tertiary institutions such as universities, vocational training schools and technical institutions in order to spread the Good News of Salvation and produce African citizens who are truly inspired by Gospel Values and the Catholic ethos.
8. The Office of Chaplaincy in Institutions
Together with other pastoral agents, it is our intention to provide moral and spiritual guidance to institutions of learning and scale-up on the appointment of more chaplains to military departments, schools, colleges and other institutions of higher learning. The presence of chaplains in schools and institutions should be visible and go beyond the occasional celebration of the Mass.
9. Teaching about AMECEA in Seminaries and Catholic Universities
In the last 50 years, AMECEA has achieved much and produced several important documents. We call upon seminaries and Catholic universities in the AMECEA region to consider researching and designing appropriate courses, in consultation with relevant authorities, on the history of AMECEA, its challenges and achievements.
10. The Scourge of Conflicts in the Region and in Africa
Our countries in the AMECEA region can be said to have achieved relative peace. Nevertheless, even in the most seemingly peaceful nations, our countries are still grappling with potential causes of conflict such as poverty, tribalism, regionalism, elections that lack credibility, bad governance, religious fanaticism, corruption, intolerance, domestic and gender-based violence, partisan media, land-related conflicts, environmental concerns and many other issues that can lead to violent confrontation.
As Shepherds, we will continue to exercise our prophetic role of speaking out wherever there is need. We shall not be silent in the face of potential or actual situations of conflict. We will also strive to do all that we can to create a culture of reconciliation, justice and peace.
We appeal to Governments and politicians in the region to work towards reducing all forms of conflict and violence in our countries and communities. We look forward to a time when our Governments will embrace the spirit and letter of democracy.
Those who thrive on violence and conflict must be challenged
We further acknowledge and encourage regional and global partnerships that seek to bring about reconciliation, justice and peace.
11. Global Warming
The impact of global warming is already being manifested, within our region, in the form of droughts, famine, desertification and population displacement. We appeal strongly to our Governments and our people to tackle global warming issues as a matter of priority.
12. The role of women in society and the Church
In line with Proposition No. 47 of the Second African Synod on Women in Africa, we acknowledge that women in our region and in Africa make a great contribution to the family, society and the Church with their many talents and resources. We condemn all acts of violence against women and several other abuses which women endure. We pledge to continue supporting efforts that seek to empower women to take their rightful place in society and in the Church.
13. Freedom of Worship in the region
We appreciate the efforts of our political leaders in allowing for freedom of worship within the region. Still, we urge our Governments to embrace human rights as one sure way of guaranteeing lasting peace in the region.
14. AMECEA Caritas Justice and Peace Network
We call on our AMECEA Executive Board to explore the possibility of operationalising the AMECEA Caritas Peace Network which will provide the missing link between the AMECEA regional office and our national offices.
15. Interreligious Dialogue
Amidst the challenges of fundamentalism, religious fanaticism, mushrooming sects, we implore the leaders of other faith communities to engage with us in genuine and constructive dialogue in order to nurture peaceful co-existence and reduce tensions in communities.
16. The Church and New media
In the AMECEA region, we will continue to empower our social communication departments in order for the Church to fully embrace new forms of media as modern ways of propagating the Gospel. In the words of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, “without fear we must cast into the deep with the same passion that governed the ship of the Church for two thousand years.”
17. Solidarity of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) with AMECEA
AMECEA wholeheartedly welcomes the USCCB’s generous initiative and willingness to work with AMECEA in various fields with the view to enhance capacity building in our institutions. This spirit of brotherhood and solidarity will surely transform our regional, national and diocesan institutions for better.
We shall endeavour to strive towards building a more sustainable Church which is self-supporting, self-ministering and self-propagating. The Church in AMECEA commits itself to greater transparency and accountability in promoting a spirit of prudent stewardship in the manner we use resources.
We hasten to say to our traditional partners that the Church in AMECEA shall forever be grateful to them for continuing to walk with us from the beginning.
18. Refugees, Migrants and Human Trafficking and Smuggling in the AMECEA region and the Great Lakes Region
AMECEA countries are home to huge numbers of refugees who have run away from their countries due to wars, persecutions and even abject poverty. In recent times, we have seen the alarming and frightening rise in the scourge of trafficking of fellow human beings for economic gain.
We remind all concerned that Scripture teaches us to love refugees: “You shall love the alien as yourself for you were once aliens in the land of Egypt” (Lev. 19: 33 – 34). We therefore, call upon Governments, NGOs and our own Churches to redouble efforts in awareness creation on the plight of refugees in our midst. Above all, we should respond with unfailing charity to refugees who live in our midst.
We are particularly empathetic with the people of South West Sudan, Central African Republic and Congo DR who are victims of destabilization due to instability in that part of Africa. We appeal for a regional resolution of the causes of conflict in these areas.
19. HIV and AIDS
The HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to be the greatest threat in our region. With millions of our people still recording new infections; millions yet still living with HIV and many more dying because of AIDS, the Church in our region must continue in its commitment to prevent the spread of HIV. We extend a hand to those who are ill and need palliative care. The invitation of Christ to be Good Samaritans to everyone who is in need (Lk. 10: 25 - 37), suffering or afflicted; and especially to those who are living with HIV/AIDS is still very relevant today.
20. HIV/AIDS can be defeated
We call upon parents, teachers and pastoral agents to do everything in their power and capacity to teach children, youth, and all those preparing for marriage about their human sexuality so that they acquire sound values and virtues to uphold chastity and shun all pre-marital sex. We urge pastoral agents to guide married couples in living out their marriage vocation faithfully. We must never tire to remind our people that HIV/AIDS can be defeated.
21. Families: Truly Christian, truly African
As a Church in the region, we will endeavour to protect the family which is the domestic Church against dangers such as materialism, secularism and seek to enable the family to be an instrument of neo-evangelisation which is truly African, truly Christian.
22. Conclusion
We rejoice in the fruit of the past 50 years and pray that our association of AMECEA will be abundantly blessed for many more years to come with a bright future.
Ad multos annos!
Signed by Most Rev Tarcisius Ziyaye,
Archbishop of Blantyre and AMECEA Chairman on July 6, 2011, Nairobi, Kenya
JUBILEE OF EVANGELISATION IN SOLIDARITY
The AMECEA plenary convened in Nairobi, Kenya from 27 June to 6 July, 2011
The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), comprising the Episcopal Conferences of Eritrea, Ethiopia, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and the affiliate members of Djibouti and Somalia met for their regular triennial Plenary Assembly to celebrate 50 years under the theme AMECEA: Family of God celebrating the Golden Jubilee of evangelization in solidarity, Nairobi, Kenya at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).
Preamble:
To all Catholics in the AMECEA region and people of good will:
We, the Catholic Bishops in the AMECEA region, together with our AMECEA Patrons, their Eminences the Cardinals greet you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Shalom!
CELEBRATING our Golden Jubilee with profound gratitude to God for His grace bestowed on AMECEA in the last 50 years;
APPRECIATING with prayerful thanksgiving the 60th anniversary of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI’s Priestly ordination;
ENCOURAGED by the presence, at our Plenary Assembly, of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples through the Secretary, Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, who also came as a special delegate of the Holy See;
AWARE of our failings and shortcomings in meeting our call to holiness as a Church leaders;
MINDFUL of the challenges ensuing from the First and the Second Synods for Africa;
INSPIRED by the deep insight of the AMECEA founding fathers both living and deceased;
HAPPY that the processes on the cause for the beatification of the Servants of God Maurice Cardinal Otunga, Bishop Vincent McCauley, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere have advanced;
EARGERLY awaiting the Apostolic Exhortation on the Church in Africa being at the service of reconciliation, justice and peace;
DETERMINED to forge ahead with confidence and solidarity in our mission of evangelization;
The 17th AMECEA Plenary Assembly hereby affirms the following:
1. A Word of Gratitude
As AMECEA Catholic Bishops, we express our sincere appreciation to the people of Kenya and acknowledge with deep gratitude the hospitality of the Kenyan people and in particular the welcome extended to us by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya, Hon. Mwai Kibaki who also invited us to continue fulfilling our prophetic role in society notwithstanding negative responses that our messages sometime receive.
The constant presence of the Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya during this Plenary Assembly and Golden Jubilee Celebrations reminded us of our communion and solidarity with the Holy Father. We are grateful for this.
We appreciate the efforts of the Kenyan Government, the security wings and other political and civic organs who contributed to the success of our Plenary Assembly and Golden Jubilee Celebrations. We thank our AMECEA Secretariat, the Kenya Episcopal Conference (KEC), staff and students of CUEA, the alumni of CUEA, St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary, Blessed Bakanja seminary, the choirs and parishes in the Archdiocese of Nairobi. In a special way, we acknowledge the support of the Holy See demonstrated through the delegates who attended the Golden Jubilee ceremonies. We are grateful to His Eminence John Cardinal Njue who hosted us in his Archdiocese and to His Grace Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai for gracing these AMECEA events.
The presence and contributions of our local and AMECEA region facilitators, guest speakers, priests, religious sisters and brothers, the laity and all those who came to pray with us during the Golden Jubilee Celebrations added substance and colour to the events of the last few days.
We do not forget to thank the missionaries, those living and deceased. They brought us the faith and we are what we are today because of them.
2. Solidarity With The New State of the Republic of South Sudan
We are grateful to God that the Sudanese comprehensive peace agreement of 2005 has ushered-in the new state of the Republic of South Sudan. We join our brothers and sisters in the Republic of South Sudan as they celebrate this milestone in their history. We pray that all categories of people and groups in the new Republic of South Sudan will lay down arms, embrace peace and work towards nation building. The new Republic of South Sudan should be a model of tolerance and unity in diversity.
As AMECEA Bishops we appeal to all member countries and Catholic religious congregations to translate their solidarity with the Republic of South Sudan into more practical means by committing personnel and resources to this new country.
We also urge the international community to continue to work towards achieving a lasting peaceful solution to the continuing conflicts in Abyei and Darfur.
3. Solidarity With Somalia
We are saddened by the unending war in Somalia. We deplore the suffering of the people in Somalia. We strongly advocate a peaceful resolution to this conflict and remain committed as AMECEA Bishops to do whatever is within our means to bring about peace to this country. We ask our Catholic faithful and people of good will to remember Somalia in their prayers.
4. The Youth in the AMECEA region
We welcome the celebration of the World Youth Day which takes place in Madrid, Spain from August 16 -21. This is one of the primary means by which the Church proclaims the message of Christ and expresses its concern for young people.
We urge all young people in the AMECEA region, who will be privileged to travel to Spain, to view this as a grace-filled opportunity of sharing in the vibrancy of our Catholic faith. More importantly, the Madrid experience should enthuse them with the love for others and the love of Christ. We pray that upon their return, this love will be manifest by their witness in schools, work places, parishes and homes.
5. Bishops as Authentic Leaders
As Catholic Bishops in the AMECEA region, it is our desire to strive for an authentic leadership style. We re-commit ourselves to the leadership style of Jesus Christ which is rooted in the rich Biblical images of Service, Shepherd and Steward. Through our actions, in unity with the Holy Father, we shall endeavour to act in humility, justice, fairness and love. In our actions, we will strive to manifest to the world around us God’s love, justice and care.
6. Ongoing Faith Formation of Catholic Professionals
As AMECEA Bishops, we have taken note of the need to accompany our Catholic professionals through on-going faith formation so that their faith can continue to be demonstrated even when they ascend to important administrative, civic and political offices. Our Catholic professionals should be men and women of faith who are socially and politically relevant to the African continent.
7. Catholic Presence in Learning Institutions
Catholic institutions of learning are optimal places of Christ meeting His people of all races and religions. The Catholic Church, since its inception, has valued learning and established institutions to promote learning of people at all levels. Through education, the Catholic Church has been able to evangelise and participate in developing responsible members of society.
As Bishops of the AMECEA region, it is our intention to establish more learning institutions from primary schools to tertiary institutions such as universities, vocational training schools and technical institutions in order to spread the Good News of Salvation and produce African citizens who are truly inspired by Gospel Values and the Catholic ethos.
8. The Office of Chaplaincy in Institutions
Together with other pastoral agents, it is our intention to provide moral and spiritual guidance to institutions of learning and scale-up on the appointment of more chaplains to military departments, schools, colleges and other institutions of higher learning. The presence of chaplains in schools and institutions should be visible and go beyond the occasional celebration of the Mass.
9. Teaching about AMECEA in Seminaries and Catholic Universities
In the last 50 years, AMECEA has achieved much and produced several important documents. We call upon seminaries and Catholic universities in the AMECEA region to consider researching and designing appropriate courses, in consultation with relevant authorities, on the history of AMECEA, its challenges and achievements.
10. The Scourge of Conflicts in the Region and in Africa
Our countries in the AMECEA region can be said to have achieved relative peace. Nevertheless, even in the most seemingly peaceful nations, our countries are still grappling with potential causes of conflict such as poverty, tribalism, regionalism, elections that lack credibility, bad governance, religious fanaticism, corruption, intolerance, domestic and gender-based violence, partisan media, land-related conflicts, environmental concerns and many other issues that can lead to violent confrontation.
As Shepherds, we will continue to exercise our prophetic role of speaking out wherever there is need. We shall not be silent in the face of potential or actual situations of conflict. We will also strive to do all that we can to create a culture of reconciliation, justice and peace.
We appeal to Governments and politicians in the region to work towards reducing all forms of conflict and violence in our countries and communities. We look forward to a time when our Governments will embrace the spirit and letter of democracy.
Those who thrive on violence and conflict must be challenged
We further acknowledge and encourage regional and global partnerships that seek to bring about reconciliation, justice and peace.
11. Global Warming
The impact of global warming is already being manifested, within our region, in the form of droughts, famine, desertification and population displacement. We appeal strongly to our Governments and our people to tackle global warming issues as a matter of priority.
12. The role of women in society and the Church
In line with Proposition No. 47 of the Second African Synod on Women in Africa, we acknowledge that women in our region and in Africa make a great contribution to the family, society and the Church with their many talents and resources. We condemn all acts of violence against women and several other abuses which women endure. We pledge to continue supporting efforts that seek to empower women to take their rightful place in society and in the Church.
13. Freedom of Worship in the region
We appreciate the efforts of our political leaders in allowing for freedom of worship within the region. Still, we urge our Governments to embrace human rights as one sure way of guaranteeing lasting peace in the region.
14. AMECEA Caritas Justice and Peace Network
We call on our AMECEA Executive Board to explore the possibility of operationalising the AMECEA Caritas Peace Network which will provide the missing link between the AMECEA regional office and our national offices.
15. Interreligious Dialogue
Amidst the challenges of fundamentalism, religious fanaticism, mushrooming sects, we implore the leaders of other faith communities to engage with us in genuine and constructive dialogue in order to nurture peaceful co-existence and reduce tensions in communities.
16. The Church and New media
In the AMECEA region, we will continue to empower our social communication departments in order for the Church to fully embrace new forms of media as modern ways of propagating the Gospel. In the words of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, “without fear we must cast into the deep with the same passion that governed the ship of the Church for two thousand years.”
17. Solidarity of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) with AMECEA
AMECEA wholeheartedly welcomes the USCCB’s generous initiative and willingness to work with AMECEA in various fields with the view to enhance capacity building in our institutions. This spirit of brotherhood and solidarity will surely transform our regional, national and diocesan institutions for better.
We shall endeavour to strive towards building a more sustainable Church which is self-supporting, self-ministering and self-propagating. The Church in AMECEA commits itself to greater transparency and accountability in promoting a spirit of prudent stewardship in the manner we use resources.
We hasten to say to our traditional partners that the Church in AMECEA shall forever be grateful to them for continuing to walk with us from the beginning.
18. Refugees, Migrants and Human Trafficking and Smuggling in the AMECEA region and the Great Lakes Region
AMECEA countries are home to huge numbers of refugees who have run away from their countries due to wars, persecutions and even abject poverty. In recent times, we have seen the alarming and frightening rise in the scourge of trafficking of fellow human beings for economic gain.
We remind all concerned that Scripture teaches us to love refugees: “You shall love the alien as yourself for you were once aliens in the land of Egypt” (Lev. 19: 33 – 34). We therefore, call upon Governments, NGOs and our own Churches to redouble efforts in awareness creation on the plight of refugees in our midst. Above all, we should respond with unfailing charity to refugees who live in our midst.
We are particularly empathetic with the people of South West Sudan, Central African Republic and Congo DR who are victims of destabilization due to instability in that part of Africa. We appeal for a regional resolution of the causes of conflict in these areas.
19. HIV and AIDS
The HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to be the greatest threat in our region. With millions of our people still recording new infections; millions yet still living with HIV and many more dying because of AIDS, the Church in our region must continue in its commitment to prevent the spread of HIV. We extend a hand to those who are ill and need palliative care. The invitation of Christ to be Good Samaritans to everyone who is in need (Lk. 10: 25 - 37), suffering or afflicted; and especially to those who are living with HIV/AIDS is still very relevant today.
20. HIV/AIDS can be defeated
We call upon parents, teachers and pastoral agents to do everything in their power and capacity to teach children, youth, and all those preparing for marriage about their human sexuality so that they acquire sound values and virtues to uphold chastity and shun all pre-marital sex. We urge pastoral agents to guide married couples in living out their marriage vocation faithfully. We must never tire to remind our people that HIV/AIDS can be defeated.
21. Families: Truly Christian, truly African
As a Church in the region, we will endeavour to protect the family which is the domestic Church against dangers such as materialism, secularism and seek to enable the family to be an instrument of neo-evangelisation which is truly African, truly Christian.
22. Conclusion
We rejoice in the fruit of the past 50 years and pray that our association of AMECEA will be abundantly blessed for many more years to come with a bright future.
Ad multos annos!
Signed by Most Rev Tarcisius Ziyaye,
Archbishop of Blantyre and AMECEA Chairman on July 6, 2011, Nairobi, Kenya
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