AMECEA: AMECEA Pastoral Department holds workshop for Commissions for Marriage and Family Life Apostolate in Nairobi
AMECEA
Pastoral Department held a successful workshop for commission for marriage and
family life Apostolate in Nairobi Kenya. The workshop which was held from 23rd
to 27th June had 38 participants from eight AMECEA Conferences which
include Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan/South Sudan, Malawi and
Zambia. Each of the eight conferences had four representatives.
According to
Fr. Febian Mulenga, Coordinator of Pastoral Department, the workshop was done
in two parts with the first part focusing on the centrality of catechesis in
evangelization and the role of a catechist. The participants were directors of
catechetical institutions, diocesan pastoral coordinators and catechists.
Fr. Febian Mulenga, Coordinator of Pastoral Department, the workshop was done
in two parts with the first part focusing on the centrality of catechesis in
evangelization and the role of a catechist. The participants were directors of
catechetical institutions, diocesan pastoral coordinators and catechists.
This first
part took place on 24th and 25th and focused on the
following: Centrality of catechesis in evangelization a topic which was presented by Fr. Febian Pikiti; The challenges in the process of Catechesis and how to overcome them. This was presented by Fr. Febian; Stewardship to the environment, i.e. the role of catechesis which should include appreciation for God’s creation as God’s stewards of creation. Fr. Peter Mbaro and Sr. Elizabeth Nduku, both from Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA); Practical activities to enhance catechesis in the area of biblical, catechetical, liturgical, environment and leadership and this was presented by Fr. Patrick Thawale and Sr. Elizabeth Isingi also from CUEA.
part took place on 24th and 25th and focused on the
following: Centrality of catechesis in evangelization a topic which was presented by Fr. Febian Pikiti; The challenges in the process of Catechesis and how to overcome them. This was presented by Fr. Febian; Stewardship to the environment, i.e. the role of catechesis which should include appreciation for God’s creation as God’s stewards of creation. Fr. Peter Mbaro and Sr. Elizabeth Nduku, both from Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA); Practical activities to enhance catechesis in the area of biblical, catechetical, liturgical, environment and leadership and this was presented by Fr. Patrick Thawale and Sr. Elizabeth Isingi also from CUEA.
· The second
part, which took place on 26th and 27th focused on the
challenges of marriage and family life-a preparation for the synod which was
presented by Fr. Febian. During the presentations, the participants and the
moderator followed the methodology of see judge and act whereby they discussed
the eight themes (questions) presented for the extra ordinary synod which
includes The Diffusion of the Teachings on the Family in Sacred Scripture and
the Church’s Magisterium, Marriage according to the Natural Law, The Pastoral
Care of the Family in Evangelization, Pastoral Care in Certain Difficult
Marital Situations, On Unions of Persons of the Same Sex, The Education of
Children in Irregular Marriages, The Openness of the Married Couple to Life,
and the Relationship Between the Family and the Person.
part, which took place on 26th and 27th focused on the
challenges of marriage and family life-a preparation for the synod which was
presented by Fr. Febian. During the presentations, the participants and the
moderator followed the methodology of see judge and act whereby they discussed
the eight themes (questions) presented for the extra ordinary synod which
includes The Diffusion of the Teachings on the Family in Sacred Scripture and
the Church’s Magisterium, Marriage according to the Natural Law, The Pastoral
Care of the Family in Evangelization, Pastoral Care in Certain Difficult
Marital Situations, On Unions of Persons of the Same Sex, The Education of
Children in Irregular Marriages, The Openness of the Married Couple to Life,
and the Relationship Between the Family and the Person.
The
participants through discussions the participants listened to experiences from
the various AMECEA Countries and proposed pastoral responses which will be
presented during the coming AMECEA Plenary in Malawi.
participants through discussions the participants listened to experiences from
the various AMECEA Countries and proposed pastoral responses which will be
presented during the coming AMECEA Plenary in Malawi.
The participants wished that the Church could do more in supporting the
marriage institution which is severely threatened by many external forces.
marriage institution which is severely threatened by many external forces.
Cases of
separation and divorce are currently overwhelming as many couples find themselves
unable to cope with the many challenges that come along in marriage such as
financial dispute and infidelity issues.
separation and divorce are currently overwhelming as many couples find themselves
unable to cope with the many challenges that come along in marriage such as
financial dispute and infidelity issues.
Mr. and Mrs
Alex and Endrina Maxwell from Worldwide Marriage Encounter from Malawi who were
among participants of the workshop told AMECEA
Online news that the Church the church should come up with different
trainings touching on some of the marriage sensitive issues such as financial
management, communications in marriages, strengthening relationships between
couples etc.
Alex and Endrina Maxwell from Worldwide Marriage Encounter from Malawi who were
among participants of the workshop told AMECEA
Online news that the Church the church should come up with different
trainings touching on some of the marriage sensitive issues such as financial
management, communications in marriages, strengthening relationships between
couples etc.
The couple
also said that the Church can do better if it supports the groups and movements
that promote marriage life and family movements such as worldwide marriage
encounter. They also said that the church needs to recognize and not only
support such groups and movements but also encourage more couple to be
involved.
also said that the Church can do better if it supports the groups and movements
that promote marriage life and family movements such as worldwide marriage
encounter. They also said that the church needs to recognize and not only
support such groups and movements but also encourage more couple to be
involved.
These
sentiments are shared by Mr. and Mrs. Cyprian and Margaret Okuye from Torit
South Sudan who were also participants of the same workshop. The couple also
felt that a lot needs to be done by the Church to support marriage institution,
which is in the verge of collapsing.
sentiments are shared by Mr. and Mrs. Cyprian and Margaret Okuye from Torit
South Sudan who were also participants of the same workshop. The couple also
felt that a lot needs to be done by the Church to support marriage institution,
which is in the verge of collapsing.
Cyprian and
Margaret said that the workshop was very important as it gives a way forward
for the church to support marriage institution. The couple said that the
proposed resolutions from the workshop towards the challenges of marriage life
should be greatly considered for adoption as this will help build more families
and consequently the church whose pillar is the family.
Margaret said that the workshop was very important as it gives a way forward
for the church to support marriage institution. The couple said that the
proposed resolutions from the workshop towards the challenges of marriage life
should be greatly considered for adoption as this will help build more families
and consequently the church whose pillar is the family.
Speaking to AMECEA online News, Fr. Pikiti said that the response from the participants was
overwhelming but time was limited to discuss and address all the issues. Fr.
Febian said that the department will make a comprehensive report from the
workshop and present it at the Plenary in Malawi.
overwhelming but time was limited to discuss and address all the issues. Fr.
Febian said that the department will make a comprehensive report from the
workshop and present it at the Plenary in Malawi.
Source: AMECEA Social Communications and
Pastoral Departments
Pastoral Departments
