SOUTH AFRICA: AMECEA participates on AFCAST meeting
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| Group Photo of AFCAST Delegates in Johannesburg. South Africa |
The AMECEA Secretary General Fr Ferdinand Lugonzo has
participated in the African Forum for Catholic Social Teachings (AFCAST)meeting
which was held in South Africa from May 27-30, 2013.
The AFCAST is a forum
that brings together theologians and other people who are involved in the
dissemination of Catholic social teachings within IMBISA and AMECEA regions
that brings together theologians and other people who are involved in the
dissemination of Catholic social teachings within IMBISA and AMECEA regions
The meeting focused on two themes: the state of Catholic social teaching
in Africa today and the contested role of the religious in public life in
Africa.
in Africa today and the contested role of the religious in public life in
Africa.
In relation to the state of Catholic social teaching in
Africa today, it was noted with emphasis that even though there is hope, equally
there are challenges that call for more work to be done along the lines of
reconciliation, justice and peace and interreligious dialogue.
Africa today, it was noted with emphasis that even though there is hope, equally
there are challenges that call for more work to be done along the lines of
reconciliation, justice and peace and interreligious dialogue.
The challenges of the presence of refugees and how to
address the current phenomenon of immigrants and human trafficking were also
discussed. It was resolved that in all the efforts the Church is making, it is
important to involve universities and institutes of higher learning so that the
Church can benefit from critical social analysis in disseminating its social
teachings. It was also noted that it is important for the Church to
strategically engage social and political systems across the continent.
address the current phenomenon of immigrants and human trafficking were also
discussed. It was resolved that in all the efforts the Church is making, it is
important to involve universities and institutes of higher learning so that the
Church can benefit from critical social analysis in disseminating its social
teachings. It was also noted that it is important for the Church to
strategically engage social and political systems across the continent.
In regards to the contested role of the religious in public
life in Africa today, the forum, which brought together people from different
political and religious backgrounds, emphasized that in order for religion to
be relevant in society today, it must have a clear worldview, a well stipulated
ethical code and very clear teachings that offer guidance to social justice and
focus on universal values that can bring about unity among people, set the
right moral values and good governance.
life in Africa today, the forum, which brought together people from different
political and religious backgrounds, emphasized that in order for religion to
be relevant in society today, it must have a clear worldview, a well stipulated
ethical code and very clear teachings that offer guidance to social justice and
focus on universal values that can bring about unity among people, set the
right moral values and good governance.
In short, all religious leaders should understand that it is
their duty to be involved in public life. It was also recommended that in order
for religious leaders to be effective in the current society, Catholic social teachings
should be made part of the syllabus in the formation houses.
their duty to be involved in public life. It was also recommended that in order
for religious leaders to be effective in the current society, Catholic social teachings
should be made part of the syllabus in the formation houses.
The role of AFCAST was summarized in the following three
points: to examine and understand the challenges holistically; critical
engagement with the resources of Catholic teachings and theology; and education
and advocacy for positive change.
points: to examine and understand the challenges holistically; critical
engagement with the resources of Catholic teachings and theology; and education
and advocacy for positive change.
The next meeting will be held in Kampala Uganda in December
2013.
2013.
Source: AMECEA Social Communications
