MALAWI: ECM is set for the 18thAMECEA Plenary Assembly

In an interview
with AMECEA Online News, the ECM
Secretary General Fr George Buleya said that the preparations
for the plenary started way back in 2011 as soon as it was announced that
Malawi will be the hosting country. The ECM set up a national steering
committee to look into areas of publicity, accommodation and fundraising.

“Most of the
preparatory activities took place during the better part of 2012 and 2013. I
would say that publicity has been done so well to an extent that all Catholics
in Malawi are aware of the coming Plenary Assembly,” he said.

The Conference
sent three letters from the ECM Bishops to all Catholics in Malawi explaining
about the coming event and also about AMECEA as a Regional Bishops Conference.
This was to ensure that people are well informed.

In terms of fund
raising, Fr. Buleya explained that all are involved from diocesan level, to the
parish level, to Small Christian Community level up to the family level and so
far, a lot of enthusiasm has been shown. “Our Christians are highly involved;
they feel the ownership of the event and are willing to support it the best
they can.”

He said that all
people in Malawi are aware that the opening and closing ceremonies will be open
to all who can attend from all over the country, while the plenary sessions are
reserved for the delegates who have been selected to represent various groups
from across the Episcopal Conference.

The Conference
has also tailor-made the Plenary Theme depicting various aspects for people to
meditate on while other spiritual exercises are going on throughout the country.

Source:
AMECEA Social Communications