KENYA: AMECEA Pastoral Department sponsors Inter-diocesan Peace & Cross Border Evangelization Conference
AMECEA Pastoral
department has sponsored the 2ndInter-diocesan Peace & Cross
Border Evangelization Conference which took place in Lodwar Diocese from 8th
to 10th December 2013.
department has sponsored the 2ndInter-diocesan Peace & Cross
Border Evangelization Conference which took place in Lodwar Diocese from 8th
to 10th December 2013.
Speaking to AMECEA Online News the AMECEA Pastoral
Coordinator Fr. Febian Pikiti said the conference is part of the initiatives
the department is taking to relieve the people of God affected by cross border
conflict in region.
Coordinator Fr. Febian Pikiti said the conference is part of the initiatives
the department is taking to relieve the people of God affected by cross border
conflict in region.
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| Group Photo of the Conference Participants |
Fr. Pikiti said that
all the affected dioceses fall under AMECEA region, thus making the problem to
be considered AMECEA problem. Fr. Pikiti was grateful for the support he
received from ‘USCCB- Pastoral Solidarity
Fund for Africa’ which enabled the department to organize the conference in
collaboration with the diocese of Lodwar.
all the affected dioceses fall under AMECEA region, thus making the problem to
be considered AMECEA problem. Fr. Pikiti was grateful for the support he
received from ‘USCCB- Pastoral Solidarity
Fund for Africa’ which enabled the department to organize the conference in
collaboration with the diocese of Lodwar.
The conference which
was officially launched by the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya Most Rev. Charles
Daniel Balvo who was the main celebrant at the opening Eucharistic celebrations
on 8th October, brought together participants from seven dioceses
from the border countries of South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopiahad a total
of 75 participants.The seven Dioceses included Torit in South Sudan, Kotido and
Moroto in Uganda, Vicariate of Jimma Bonga in Ethiopia; Nakuru, Lodwar, Kitale
and Ngong in Kenya. Ngong Diocese is however not part of the Inter-diocesan Peace & Cross Border but
attended the conference in order to borrow a leaf of good practice as it intends
to come and implement the same when the get back home.
was officially launched by the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya Most Rev. Charles
Daniel Balvo who was the main celebrant at the opening Eucharistic celebrations
on 8th October, brought together participants from seven dioceses
from the border countries of South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopiahad a total
of 75 participants.The seven Dioceses included Torit in South Sudan, Kotido and
Moroto in Uganda, Vicariate of Jimma Bonga in Ethiopia; Nakuru, Lodwar, Kitale
and Ngong in Kenya. Ngong Diocese is however not part of the Inter-diocesan Peace & Cross Border but
attended the conference in order to borrow a leaf of good practice as it intends
to come and implement the same when the get back home.
The conference
activities included reports from the member dioceses on their activities for
the past one year and it included success, challenges and future plans. This
was followed by presentations and talks on various issues ranging from
insecurity, cattle rustling and cross border peace initiatives.
activities included reports from the member dioceses on their activities for
the past one year and it included success, challenges and future plans. This
was followed by presentations and talks on various issues ranging from
insecurity, cattle rustling and cross border peace initiatives.
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| Participants during the Conference |
The conference endedwith
the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the three ordinaries
present at the conference. These are the host Bishop of Lodwar Rt. Rev. Dominic
Kimengich, Rt. Rev. Marco Gebewedhin of the Jimma Bonga Vicariate of Ethiopia
and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Torit, Msgr. Thomas Oliha.
the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the three ordinaries
present at the conference. These are the host Bishop of Lodwar Rt. Rev. Dominic
Kimengich, Rt. Rev. Marco Gebewedhin of the Jimma Bonga Vicariate of Ethiopia
and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Torit, Msgr. Thomas Oliha.
The MOU said in
part; “While the parties shall partner and cooperate in the implementation of Inter-diocesan Peace & Cross- Border
Evangelizationin the hope of having Sustainable Cross Border Actions for
Peace, they also agree to collectively own the process and outcomes of the
project.”
part; “While the parties shall partner and cooperate in the implementation of Inter-diocesan Peace & Cross- Border
Evangelizationin the hope of having Sustainable Cross Border Actions for
Peace, they also agree to collectively own the process and outcomes of the
project.”
It also stated
that the process leading up to signing the agreement included discussions
during the two Inter-Diocesan conferences already organized by the Diocese of
Lodwar for the same.
that the process leading up to signing the agreement included discussions
during the two Inter-Diocesan conferences already organized by the Diocese of
Lodwar for the same.
The MoU, was
established as a framework for collaboration and partnership between the said
partiesand is guided by the following binding conditions and principles:
established as a framework for collaboration and partnership between the said
partiesand is guided by the following binding conditions and principles:
a.
Collective Ownership
Collective Ownership
b.
Mutual Accountability
Mutual Accountability
c.
Mutual Trust and Openness
Mutual Trust and Openness
d.
Continuity
Continuity
e.
Solidarity and collective action
Solidarity and collective action
f.
Adherence to the guidelines and principles espoused for the joint actions and
projects for which the collaboration and corporation is secured and as stated
in the Project documents
Adherence to the guidelines and principles espoused for the joint actions and
projects for which the collaboration and corporation is secured and as stated
in the Project documents
g.
The principles of the social teaching of the Church
The principles of the social teaching of the Church
h.
Adherence to the agreed timelines for delivering the inter-diocesan peace and
cross border Evangelization activities.
Adherence to the agreed timelines for delivering the inter-diocesan peace and
cross border Evangelization activities.
The MoU will be
binding for a period of four years, 2014-2018 and its purpose and scope is to highlight
the different roles and responsibilities the Diocese of Lodwar and other cross
border Dioceses will play as partners in the implementation of Sustainable
Cross Border Actions for Peace.
binding for a period of four years, 2014-2018 and its purpose and scope is to highlight
the different roles and responsibilities the Diocese of Lodwar and other cross
border Dioceses will play as partners in the implementation of Sustainable
Cross Border Actions for Peace.
Lodwar which is
the lead Diocese has been mandated to play the role of coordinating and
monitoring by providing technical backstopping and guidance to the implementing
dioceses as well as facilitating the process of information sharing among other
technicalities.
the lead Diocese has been mandated to play the role of coordinating and
monitoring by providing technical backstopping and guidance to the implementing
dioceses as well as facilitating the process of information sharing among other
technicalities.
AMECEA
Secretariat was represented by the Coordinator of Pastoral Department Fr.
Febian Pikiti and Coordinator of AMECEA Justice and Peace Desk Fr. Jude Waweru.
Secretariat was represented by the Coordinator of Pastoral Department Fr.
Febian Pikiti and Coordinator of AMECEA Justice and Peace Desk Fr. Jude Waweru.
Source:
AMECEA Social Communications
AMECEA Social Communications
