MALAWI: ECM is set to host 18th AMECEA Plenary
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| Fr. Andrew Kaufa |
The
Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) says all is set for Malawi to host the
much awaited Association of Member Conference of Eastern African (AMECEA)
18th Plenary from 16th to 26th July at Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC)
in Lilongwe as preparations for this crucial meeting are now at an advanced
stage.
Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) says all is set for Malawi to host the
much awaited Association of Member Conference of Eastern African (AMECEA)
18th Plenary from 16th to 26th July at Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC)
in Lilongwe as preparations for this crucial meeting are now at an advanced
stage.
ECM’s Social
Communications Secretary, Fr. Andrew Kaufa disclosed to the Lamp Magazine that
all the main organizing committees and its subcommittees are currently in the
course of finalizing the whole preparatory exercise for the plenary.
Communications Secretary, Fr. Andrew Kaufa disclosed to the Lamp Magazine that
all the main organizing committees and its subcommittees are currently in the
course of finalizing the whole preparatory exercise for the plenary.
He said for
instance the fundraising and Finance sub-committee which is headed by Dr. Mary
Shawa has managed to collect more funds from the dioceses.
instance the fundraising and Finance sub-committee which is headed by Dr. Mary
Shawa has managed to collect more funds from the dioceses.
Apart from
collecting contributions from each and every Christian in every parish in the
country, Fr. Kaufa said the fundraising and finance committee also carried out
a number of local resource mobilization activities such as gala dinner and
dance, braise and Gospel music shows.
collecting contributions from each and every Christian in every parish in the
country, Fr. Kaufa said the fundraising and finance committee also carried out
a number of local resource mobilization activities such as gala dinner and
dance, braise and Gospel music shows.
He said the
sub-committee also produced a Year of Faith cloth (Chitenje) in 2013 and an AMECEA cloth this year as a way of
fundraising for the plenary.
sub-committee also produced a Year of Faith cloth (Chitenje) in 2013 and an AMECEA cloth this year as a way of
fundraising for the plenary.
Fr. Kaufa
said the sub-committee has also produced a variety of souvenirs that will soon
be available for sale before and during the conference.
“Activities
are still under way to raise more funds. However, the Secretary General who is
also co-chairman of the main committee is already grateful to all Catholics and
well wishers who have contributed a lot to the funding of the various
activities,” said Fr Kaufa.
are still under way to raise more funds. However, the Secretary General who is
also co-chairman of the main committee is already grateful to all Catholics and
well wishers who have contributed a lot to the funding of the various
activities,” said Fr Kaufa.
Meanwhile,
the fundraising and finance subcommittee is scheduled to hold the last dinner
and dance activity at BICC on 11th July as a way of meeting the
budget by raising more funds.
the fundraising and finance subcommittee is scheduled to hold the last dinner
and dance activity at BICC on 11th July as a way of meeting the
budget by raising more funds.
According to
Fr. Kaufa, Malawi will host at least 300 delegates to the plenary, a number
which comprises of the AMECEA executive board chaired by Archbishop Tarcisius
Ziyaye of Lilongwe Archdioces, the AMECEA secretariat personnel from Nairobi
Kenya; the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM);
the Catholic University of Eastern Africa; donor and development partners such
as Catholic Agency For Aid and Development ( CAFOD), Catholic Relief Services
(CRS), Missio Munich; the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, auxiliary bishops
and their secretariat from the Episcopal conferences of Tanzania, Kenya,
Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Zambia and the host Malawi.
Fr. Kaufa, Malawi will host at least 300 delegates to the plenary, a number
which comprises of the AMECEA executive board chaired by Archbishop Tarcisius
Ziyaye of Lilongwe Archdioces, the AMECEA secretariat personnel from Nairobi
Kenya; the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM);
the Catholic University of Eastern Africa; donor and development partners such
as Catholic Agency For Aid and Development ( CAFOD), Catholic Relief Services
(CRS), Missio Munich; the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, auxiliary bishops
and their secretariat from the Episcopal conferences of Tanzania, Kenya,
Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Zambia and the host Malawi.
He said
delegates will start to jet into the country through Kamuzu International
Airport on 14th July with the arrival of Executive Board Members and other
delegates will follow on 16th July.
delegates will start to jet into the country through Kamuzu International
Airport on 14th July with the arrival of Executive Board Members and other
delegates will follow on 16th July.
“After a
colorful official opening Mass on the17th July at CIVO Stadium, the major part
shall be the discussion of the theme which is “New evangelization through
true conversion and witnessing to Christian faith.”
colorful official opening Mass on the17th July at CIVO Stadium, the major part
shall be the discussion of the theme which is “New evangelization through
true conversion and witnessing to Christian faith.”
He said,
“Under this topic a number of topics have been developed such as a discussion
on early missionary work of evangelization; the cultural, political and social
environment in the area; the role of seminaries in evangelization; the role of
chaplaincies and institutions of higher learning in enhancing evangelization;
the impact of the digital technology and social media in the context of
evangelization; and liturgy and enculturation”.
“Under this topic a number of topics have been developed such as a discussion
on early missionary work of evangelization; the cultural, political and social
environment in the area; the role of seminaries in evangelization; the role of
chaplaincies and institutions of higher learning in enhancing evangelization;
the impact of the digital technology and social media in the context of
evangelization; and liturgy and enculturation”.
Fr. Kaufa
further said, a closing mass shall be held at Maula Cathedral on 26th July
2014.
further said, a closing mass shall be held at Maula Cathedral on 26th July
2014.
He said in
addition to this heavy staff, the entertainment committee, with support from
the Catholic Women Organization, have organized social evenings whereby various
cultural dancers including the Kungoni Troupe shall be involves; and solidarity
visits to parishes within the three deaneries in Lilongwe City.
addition to this heavy staff, the entertainment committee, with support from
the Catholic Women Organization, have organized social evenings whereby various
cultural dancers including the Kungoni Troupe shall be involves; and solidarity
visits to parishes within the three deaneries in Lilongwe City.
ECM is appealing to all Catholics and people of good will to come in large
numbers for the opening and closing Masses at CIVO Stadium and Maula Parish
respectively. It is also
appealing to Catholics and people of good will to assist in ferrying choirs
from the dioceses.
numbers for the opening and closing Masses at CIVO Stadium and Maula Parish
respectively. It is also
appealing to Catholics and people of good will to assist in ferrying choirs
from the dioceses.
“While
thanking the people for their generosity, we once again appeal to all Catholics
and people of good will to support financially the activities since the
Preparations Committee is still in the process of fundraising so as to cover
the budget, “said Fr. Kaufa.
thanking the people for their generosity, we once again appeal to all Catholics
and people of good will to support financially the activities since the
Preparations Committee is still in the process of fundraising so as to cover
the budget, “said Fr. Kaufa.
The
Chairperson for the Security sub-committee, John Chome has since given an
assurance of total safety during, before and after the plenary.
Chairperson for the Security sub-committee, John Chome has since given an
assurance of total safety during, before and after the plenary.
He said the
committee has already conducted a survey around all the premises that will
accommodate the guests. “The
sub-committee will also engage a host of lay security volunteers drawn from
parishes, Catholic Youth and other groups in the Church,” said Chome.
committee has already conducted a survey around all the premises that will
accommodate the guests. “The
sub-committee will also engage a host of lay security volunteers drawn from
parishes, Catholic Youth and other groups in the Church,” said Chome.
According to
Chome, the subcommittee has since expanded and strengthened with the inclusion
other partners like the Malawi Police.
Chome, the subcommittee has since expanded and strengthened with the inclusion
other partners like the Malawi Police.
ECM Communications department said preparations for Catholic Journalists and
other media houses to give out the best coverage during, before and after this
plenary are also going on. For
instance, the department has managed to meet with all Catholic Journalists
within Lilongwe and catholic media houses like radio Maria, Radio Alinafe,
Luntha Television, Montfort Media and Radio Tigabane to strategies on how best
to handle the issue to do with publicity Chairperson for the Association of
Catholic Journalists, Deogratias Mmana has since pledged total support from
Catholic journalists during this plenary.
other media houses to give out the best coverage during, before and after this
plenary are also going on. For
instance, the department has managed to meet with all Catholic Journalists
within Lilongwe and catholic media houses like radio Maria, Radio Alinafe,
Luntha Television, Montfort Media and Radio Tigabane to strategies on how best
to handle the issue to do with publicity Chairperson for the Association of
Catholic Journalists, Deogratias Mmana has since pledged total support from
Catholic journalists during this plenary.
In a recent
interview with AMECEA Secretary General, Fr. Ferdinand Rugonzo said they were
excited with the way Malawi is handling the preparations for the plenary.
interview with AMECEA Secretary General, Fr. Ferdinand Rugonzo said they were
excited with the way Malawi is handling the preparations for the plenary.
“From what
we have seen and the reports we have received; we are so pleased and convinced
that the Church in Malawi is ready to host the 18th AMECEA Plenary Assembly and
we are so sure that even if the plenary is to start tomorrow, the Church in
Malawi has shown that it is ready to host the conference’, he said during a
recent meeting of Secretary Generals from the AMECEA region held in Lilongwe.
we have seen and the reports we have received; we are so pleased and convinced
that the Church in Malawi is ready to host the 18th AMECEA Plenary Assembly and
we are so sure that even if the plenary is to start tomorrow, the Church in
Malawi has shown that it is ready to host the conference’, he said during a
recent meeting of Secretary Generals from the AMECEA region held in Lilongwe.
Fr. Lugonzo
added; “This has given us confidence and raised our hope that we are going to
have a successful AMECEA Plenary Assembly in July this Year.”
added; “This has given us confidence and raised our hope that we are going to
have a successful AMECEA Plenary Assembly in July this Year.”
The
government of Malawi has also shown interest to support this historical Church
event as evidenced from the availability of government officials during
preparatory meetings which are currently under way. Further to that, the main
organizing committee is encouraged with the government, looking at the
fact that the country’s Vice President, His Excellency Saulos Chilima was once the Chairperson
for the AMECEA Publicity subcommittee.
government of Malawi has also shown interest to support this historical Church
event as evidenced from the availability of government officials during
preparatory meetings which are currently under way. Further to that, the main
organizing committee is encouraged with the government, looking at the
fact that the country’s Vice President, His Excellency Saulos Chilima was once the Chairperson
for the AMECEA Publicity subcommittee.
Source: ECM Communication Department
