MALAWI: Church Urged to Spearhead Conflict Resolution in Africa
|
| A section of delegates during plenary study session |
The
Church should spearhead the peace building process in the various conflict
zones on the Africa continent, a catholic Bishop has said.
Church should spearhead the peace building process in the various conflict
zones on the Africa continent, a catholic Bishop has said.
Makin
his submission during a study session at the ongoing AMECEA plenary assembly in
Lilongwe Malawi, Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro, of Tombura-Yambio diocese in South
Sudan said that there are 17 countries in Africa either in conflict or
recovering from one.
his submission during a study session at the ongoing AMECEA plenary assembly in
Lilongwe Malawi, Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro, of Tombura-Yambio diocese in South
Sudan said that there are 17 countries in Africa either in conflict or
recovering from one.
“The church needs to be part and parcel of the regional
conversations in order to ensure that African countries develop social,
economic and political policies that respect human dignity,” he stated.
conversations in order to ensure that African countries develop social,
economic and political policies that respect human dignity,” he stated.
The
Bishop pointed out that conflicts and governance challenges in the AMECEA Region, affect the evangelization
mission of the church.
Bishop pointed out that conflicts and governance challenges in the AMECEA Region, affect the evangelization
mission of the church.
Another
challenge the Church is facing today in Eastern Africa is the rising cases of
Inter-religious conflicts and extremist violence, especially in Sudan and South
Sudan, Tanzania, Nigeria and Kenya. “Terrorist (alshabaab) acts leading to thousands of deaths are all threats to
evangelization mission,” he said.
challenge the Church is facing today in Eastern Africa is the rising cases of
Inter-religious conflicts and extremist violence, especially in Sudan and South
Sudan, Tanzania, Nigeria and Kenya. “Terrorist (alshabaab) acts leading to thousands of deaths are all threats to
evangelization mission,” he said.
Besides
the above the bishop said that lack of proper management of resources, massive
unemployment, power struggle among political leaders and corruption are part of
the threats to evangelization Mission.
the above the bishop said that lack of proper management of resources, massive
unemployment, power struggle among political leaders and corruption are part of
the threats to evangelization Mission.
“The
Church is trying to respond through Pastoral Letters, Catholic Justice and
Peace Commissions, spiritual animations and liturgical services, Universities, colleges
& schools and Social services; however the limitations to these channels
are still enormous,” he said.
Church is trying to respond through Pastoral Letters, Catholic Justice and
Peace Commissions, spiritual animations and liturgical services, Universities, colleges
& schools and Social services; however the limitations to these channels
are still enormous,” he said.
The
limitations of the Pastoral Letters for instance include limited distribution
and circulation, lack of engagement with structures of governance (dialogue
through the media) and lack of adequate engagement with the professionals.
limitations of the Pastoral Letters for instance include limited distribution
and circulation, lack of engagement with structures of governance (dialogue
through the media) and lack of adequate engagement with the professionals.
The
Bishop said that the Church can do this by encouraging human promotion in all
forms; encouraging the culture of documentation; encouraging indigenous
theological reflections and expanding the possibilities for preventing
violence.
Bishop said that the Church can do this by encouraging human promotion in all
forms; encouraging the culture of documentation; encouraging indigenous
theological reflections and expanding the possibilities for preventing
violence.
By Fr. Philip Odii National
Communications Coordinator UEC and Pamela Adinda AMECEA Social Communications
Communications Coordinator UEC and Pamela Adinda AMECEA Social Communications
