AMECEA: Justice and Pece Desk organizes Parliamentarian Retreat
AMECEA Justice and Peace Desk department has held a
successful retreat for Catholic Parliamentarians in Nairobi Kenya. The retreat
which started on 1st October and ended on the 4th was
attended by delegates from the three East African Countries, Kenya, Uganda and
Tanzania. The department intends to conduct similar workshops to the remaining
AMECEA Countries. Where by the
department intends
successful retreat for Catholic Parliamentarians in Nairobi Kenya. The retreat
which started on 1st October and ended on the 4th was
attended by delegates from the three East African Countries, Kenya, Uganda and
Tanzania. The department intends to conduct similar workshops to the remaining
AMECEA Countries. Where by the
department intends
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| Group Photo of the Delegates |
According to Fr. Jude Waweru, coordinator of Justice and
Peace Department of AMECEA, the retreat is carrying out in phases of which this
was the first phase. The department will later on roll the same to Zambia and
Malawi; Sudan and South Sudan and finally to Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Fr. Jude said that the department had to group the countries
based on some common political ambience e.g. the East Africa Community. He
added that the department hopes to have rolled out the retreat to the entire
AMECEA Region in the next two years at maximum.
based on some common political ambience e.g. the East Africa Community. He
added that the department hopes to have rolled out the retreat to the entire
AMECEA Region in the next two years at maximum.
By conducting these retreats, the department intends to cast
a better understanding of the Church and the Legislators in working together
for a common good of our people. It is also intended for purposes of advocacy
in search of better governance and also to tap the Catholic professionals’
potential in working with the Church.
a better understanding of the Church and the Legislators in working together
for a common good of our people. It is also intended for purposes of advocacy
in search of better governance and also to tap the Catholic professionals’
potential in working with the Church.
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| Delegates listening keenly during the Session |
The retreat was officially opened by the AMECEA Secretary
General Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo. Among key participants for the retreat included
East Africa Legislative Assembly Hon Sarah Bonaya, a Kenyan Member of
Parliament Hon. Thomas Mwadeghu, who is also the coordinator of Catholic
Members of Parliament Spiritual Support Initiative in Kenya (CAMPSSI K), Parliamentary
Liaison Officers, and Conferences Justice and Peace coordinators.
During the deliberations the following strategies were identified:
Ø
Need for a parliamentary chaplain to offer
spiritual guidance to the members in Kenya.
Need for a parliamentary chaplain to offer
spiritual guidance to the members in Kenya.
Ø
Need for collaboration between the church and
parliamentarians, for instance, meeting between the two over a cup of tea or
over a meal, such that there can be forums for sharing important issues of
concern.
Need for collaboration between the church and
parliamentarians, for instance, meeting between the two over a cup of tea or
over a meal, such that there can be forums for sharing important issues of
concern.
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| Fr. Jude Waweru, Coordinator of AMECEA Justice and Peace and Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo, Secretary General AMECEA |
Ø
Need for change of attitude from the consumer
attitude to the producer attitude in order to overcome the over dependence on
donors tendency; which has led to lack of exploitation of the readily available
natural resources.
Need for change of attitude from the consumer
attitude to the producer attitude in order to overcome the over dependence on
donors tendency; which has led to lack of exploitation of the readily available
natural resources.
For more information on the retreat, refer to the AMECEA
Justice and Peace Blog on AMECEA Website.
Justice and Peace Blog on AMECEA Website.
Source: AMECEA Social Communication Office
