MALAWI: Communiqué of the 18th AMECEA Plenary Assembly
Communiqué of the 18th AMECEA Plenary Assembly in Lilongwe,
Malawi
Malawi
(16th to 26th
July, 2014)
July, 2014)
“The Joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of
all who encounter Jesus”
(Pope Francis,
Evangelii Gaudium, 1)
Evangelii Gaudium, 1)
The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa
(AMECEA), comprising of the Episcopal Conferences of Eritrea, Ethiopia, Malawi,
Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan/South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and the affiliate members of
Djibouti and Somalia met for their regular triennial Plenary Assembly from 16th
-26th July 2014 under the theme: “New Evangelization through True
Conversion and Witnessing to Christian Faith”.
(AMECEA), comprising of the Episcopal Conferences of Eritrea, Ethiopia, Malawi,
Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan/South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and the affiliate members of
Djibouti and Somalia met for their regular triennial Plenary Assembly from 16th
-26th July 2014 under the theme: “New Evangelization through True
Conversion and Witnessing to Christian Faith”.
Preamble
To the family of God in AMECEA region and all people of good will.
We, the Catholic Bishops in the AMECEA region, together with our
Patrons, their Eminences the Cardinals, greet you all in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ:
Patrons, their Eminences the Cardinals, greet you all in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ:
APPRECIATING the spirit of New Evangelization with
prayerful thanksgiving to the spiritual guidance of the Holy Father, Pope
Francis,
prayerful thanksgiving to the spiritual guidance of the Holy Father, Pope
Francis,
ENCOURAGED by the
presence of the Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia, His Excellency Julio
Murat, during the opening ceremony of the 18th Plenary Assembly
which signified our communion and solidarity with the Holy Father Pope Francis for
which we are grateful,
presence of the Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia, His Excellency Julio
Murat, during the opening ceremony of the 18th Plenary Assembly
which signified our communion and solidarity with the Holy Father Pope Francis for
which we are grateful,
INSPIRED by the deep insight of the AMECEA founding
fathers both living and deceased, we are determined and inspired to forge ahead
with confidence and solidarity in our mission of evangelization.
fathers both living and deceased, we are determined and inspired to forge ahead
with confidence and solidarity in our mission of evangelization.
1.
A Word of Gratitude
A Word of Gratitude
As Catholic Bishops in the AMECEA region, we express
our sincere appreciation to the people of Malawi, the warm heart of Africa. We acknowledge
with deep gratitude their hospitality and in particular the welcome extended to
us by His Excellency Prof. Arthur
Peter Mutharika, the President of the Republic of Malawi, who graced the
opening ceremony of the Plenary Assembly.
our sincere appreciation to the people of Malawi, the warm heart of Africa. We acknowledge
with deep gratitude their hospitality and in particular the welcome extended to
us by His Excellency Prof. Arthur
Peter Mutharika, the President of the Republic of Malawi, who graced the
opening ceremony of the Plenary Assembly.
We appreciate the support of the Government of Malawi,
the security agents and other civic organs who contributed to the success of
our Plenary Assembly.
the security agents and other civic organs who contributed to the success of
our Plenary Assembly.
We thank the outgoing Chairman, His Grace Archbishop
Tarcisio Ziyaye, the outgoing members of the Executive Board, our AMECEA
Secretariat, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) and its Secretariat, the
organizing committee, clergy, religious and the lay faithful in Malawi and our
partners. Your presence, contributions and active participation added substance
and colour to the event. May Almighty God reward you all.
Tarcisio Ziyaye, the outgoing members of the Executive Board, our AMECEA
Secretariat, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) and its Secretariat, the
organizing committee, clergy, religious and the lay faithful in Malawi and our
partners. Your presence, contributions and active participation added substance
and colour to the event. May Almighty God reward you all.
- Solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the
Region
We are
saddened by the ongoing conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia and other
parts of the world. We deplore the suffering of the people in these countries.
We strongly advocate for a peaceful resolution to these conflicts and remain
committed as Catholic Bishops in AMECEA region to do whatever is within our
ability to bring about lasting peace to these Countries.
saddened by the ongoing conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia and other
parts of the world. We deplore the suffering of the people in these countries.
We strongly advocate for a peaceful resolution to these conflicts and remain
committed as Catholic Bishops in AMECEA region to do whatever is within our
ability to bring about lasting peace to these Countries.
We ask
our Catholic faithful and people of good will to remember Sudan, South Sudan
and Somalia in their prayers and to attend with a helping hand to their urgent
needs. We appeal to all peoples in these countries to embrace peace, seek
reconciliation and work towards nation building.
our Catholic faithful and people of good will to remember Sudan, South Sudan
and Somalia in their prayers and to attend with a helping hand to their urgent
needs. We appeal to all peoples in these countries to embrace peace, seek
reconciliation and work towards nation building.
- The Family as the Nucleus of Life
The threat to the family in our region is now more real than ever
before. The crisis of marriage and the
family has been increased by individualism in the contemporary society,
breakdown of morals, attacks on the family unit, poverty and unemployment. As a Church in the region, we will endeavour to
protect the family which is the domestic Church against all these dangers.
We commit ourselves to pastoral care of broken families and all those
who are going through difficulties in their families. We also condemn all forms
of domestic violence.
before. The crisis of marriage and the
family has been increased by individualism in the contemporary society,
breakdown of morals, attacks on the family unit, poverty and unemployment. As a Church in the region, we will endeavour to
protect the family which is the domestic Church against all these dangers.
We commit ourselves to pastoral care of broken families and all those
who are going through difficulties in their families. We also condemn all forms
of domestic violence.
We affirm institution of marriage as an indissoluble union of love
between a man and a woman open to procreation and denounce any attempt to
redefine this institution. Family life must be respected, promoted and
protected so that it can provide men and women who can weave a social fabric of
peace and harmony. We strongly condemn same sex unions and other deviations
that go against human nature and natural law.
between a man and a woman open to procreation and denounce any attempt to
redefine this institution. Family life must be respected, promoted and
protected so that it can provide men and women who can weave a social fabric of
peace and harmony. We strongly condemn same sex unions and other deviations
that go against human nature and natural law.
We urge for the protection and defence of the family at all costs as
that is the beginning and pillar of human life and society. We seek to enable the family to be an instrument of New
Evangelisation which is truly African and truly Christian.
that is the beginning and pillar of human life and society. We seek to enable the family to be an instrument of New
Evangelisation which is truly African and truly Christian.
We welcome and await the fruits of the forth coming
extra ordinary synods on marriage and family life.
extra ordinary synods on marriage and family life.
- New
Evangelization to Address New Challenges
During
our ten days in Lilongwe, we have reflected on the new challenges and realities
facing the Church in its mission of evangelization. We have taken the opportunity to read and
interpret the signs of the times. We commit ourselves to make use of the
strategies of the Missionaries who took a positive view of African cultures and
in them sought to find the concepts, terms and ways of expressing the
Christ-event and the Christian life.
our ten days in Lilongwe, we have reflected on the new challenges and realities
facing the Church in its mission of evangelization. We have taken the opportunity to read and
interpret the signs of the times. We commit ourselves to make use of the
strategies of the Missionaries who took a positive view of African cultures and
in them sought to find the concepts, terms and ways of expressing the
Christ-event and the Christian life.
We
acknowledge with appreciation the efforts many agents of evangelization who are
committed to the spread of the Gospel in different ways. We encourage them to
remain faithful to the mission we have received from our Lord Jesus Christ.
acknowledge with appreciation the efforts many agents of evangelization who are
committed to the spread of the Gospel in different ways. We encourage them to
remain faithful to the mission we have received from our Lord Jesus Christ.
We
endeavour to deepen Evangelization and employ various methodologies to ensure
true catechesis, true conversion, true spirituality and true witness to
Christian faith in AMECEA region and beyond.
endeavour to deepen Evangelization and employ various methodologies to ensure
true catechesis, true conversion, true spirituality and true witness to
Christian faith in AMECEA region and beyond.
We
encourage all Catholics to participate actively in Small Christian Communities.
As shepherds we commit ourselves to ensuring that Small Christian Communities
continue being places for true experience of faith.
encourage all Catholics to participate actively in Small Christian Communities.
As shepherds we commit ourselves to ensuring that Small Christian Communities
continue being places for true experience of faith.
- The use
of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Media for Evangelization
In the
AMECEA region, we will continue to empower our social communication departments
in order for the Church to fully embrace new forms of media as modern ways of
propagating the Gospel. We urge pastoral agents to make responsibly use of
media and contribute to the content. Furthermore we caution all people against
misuse of social media.
AMECEA region, we will continue to empower our social communication departments
in order for the Church to fully embrace new forms of media as modern ways of
propagating the Gospel. We urge pastoral agents to make responsibly use of
media and contribute to the content. Furthermore we caution all people against
misuse of social media.
- Children and Youth
Children
and youth are a gift to and hope of the Church and society. Indeed children and
youth form the greatest percentage of the population in Africa.
and youth are a gift to and hope of the Church and society. Indeed children and
youth form the greatest percentage of the population in Africa.
We
urge parents and all those who are responsible for our Children to teach them
the ways of God. Let us protect these precious gifts that we receive from God
from the current abuses.
urge parents and all those who are responsible for our Children to teach them
the ways of God. Let us protect these precious gifts that we receive from God
from the current abuses.
We
urge all our youth in the AMECEA region to be credible witnesses of faith in homes,
parishes, schools and work places. In addition we exhort the youth to be
instruments of peace and avoid being used in propagating conflicts and
violence. Cognizant of the plight many young people in the AMECEA region are
going through, we appeal to the governments and other stakeholders to invest in
education of young people, creation of jobs and opportunities to help them live
a more dignified life.
urge all our youth in the AMECEA region to be credible witnesses of faith in homes,
parishes, schools and work places. In addition we exhort the youth to be
instruments of peace and avoid being used in propagating conflicts and
violence. Cognizant of the plight many young people in the AMECEA region are
going through, we appeal to the governments and other stakeholders to invest in
education of young people, creation of jobs and opportunities to help them live
a more dignified life.
On our part we undertake
to invest in ongoing formation and journey with children and young people as
they go through life.
to invest in ongoing formation and journey with children and young people as
they go through life.
- Chaplaincy and Catholic
Presence in Institutions of Learning
Catholic Institutions of learning are optimal places of Christ meeting
His people of all races and religions. The Catholic Church, since its
inception, has valued learning and established institutions to promote learning
of people at all levels. Through education, the Catholic Church has been able to
evangelize and participate in developing responsible members of society.
His people of all races and religions. The Catholic Church, since its
inception, has valued learning and established institutions to promote learning
of people at all levels. Through education, the Catholic Church has been able to
evangelize and participate in developing responsible members of society.
As Bishops of the AMECEA region, together with other pastoral agents, it
is our intention to provide moral and spiritual guidance to students and staff
in institutions of learning and appoint more chaplains to serve in these
institutions of learning. The presence of chaplains in schools and institutions
should be visible and go beyond the occasional celebration of Holy Mass.
is our intention to provide moral and spiritual guidance to students and staff
in institutions of learning and appoint more chaplains to serve in these
institutions of learning. The presence of chaplains in schools and institutions
should be visible and go beyond the occasional celebration of Holy Mass.
We ask the Chaplains and all those
who accompany youth at every level to live exemplary lives and be an
inspiration to the young generation in order to spread
the Good News of Salvation and produce responsible citizens who are truly
inspired by Gospel Values and the Catholic Social teachings.
who accompany youth at every level to live exemplary lives and be an
inspiration to the young generation in order to spread
the Good News of Salvation and produce responsible citizens who are truly
inspired by Gospel Values and the Catholic Social teachings.
- Catholic Professionals
As Shepherds,
we have taken note of the need to accompany our professionals
through on-going faith formation so that their faith can continue to be
demonstrated even when they ascend to important administrative, civic and
political offices. Our Catholic professionals should be men and women of faith
who are socially and politically relevant to the African continent.
we have taken note of the need to accompany our professionals
through on-going faith formation so that their faith can continue to be
demonstrated even when they ascend to important administrative, civic and
political offices. Our Catholic professionals should be men and women of faith
who are socially and politically relevant to the African continent.
We invite all catholic professionals to play an active role in the work
of evangelization.
of evangelization.
- Seminaries and Houses of Formation
We acknowledge that seminaries
and other houses of formation are very vital for enhancing New Evangelization. We
commit ourselves to take formation of agents of evangelization as a priority. We urge all those involved in formation to
provide relevant training that will respond to the demands and challenges of
the times.
and other houses of formation are very vital for enhancing New Evangelization. We
commit ourselves to take formation of agents of evangelization as a priority. We urge all those involved in formation to
provide relevant training that will respond to the demands and challenges of
the times.
We also commit ourselves
to ensuring that seminaries and other houses of formation get exemplary
formators who will be true models and a source of inspiration to those under
formation.
to ensuring that seminaries and other houses of formation get exemplary
formators who will be true models and a source of inspiration to those under
formation.
- Terrorism and Violence
While countries in the
AMECEA region and beyond can claim to enjoy relative peace, the recurrent acts
of violence and terrorism are very disturbing. We appeal to governments in the region to work
hard to address the root causes of these problems and ensure protection of the
lives of people and their properties. We further appeal for concerted regional
and global efforts towards solving these problems.
AMECEA region and beyond can claim to enjoy relative peace, the recurrent acts
of violence and terrorism are very disturbing. We appeal to governments in the region to work
hard to address the root causes of these problems and ensure protection of the
lives of people and their properties. We further appeal for concerted regional
and global efforts towards solving these problems.
We appeal to all people
to work for peace.
to work for peace.
- Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Conscience and
Respect of Human Rights
We strongly affirm that
all human rights should always be respected and guaranteed in every society. This is the basis of lasting peace and
harmony.
all human rights should always be respected and guaranteed in every society. This is the basis of lasting peace and
harmony.
We therefore appreciate
the efforts of our governments in the region in guaranteeing freedom of worship.
the efforts of our governments in the region in guaranteeing freedom of worship.
We condemn all forms of violence
coming from religious fundamentalism, radicalism and fanaticism and implore all
religious leaders to pursue the path of mutual respect and dialogue.
coming from religious fundamentalism, radicalism and fanaticism and implore all
religious leaders to pursue the path of mutual respect and dialogue.
- Happenings Across the World during our Plenary
Celebrations
During the period of our
Plenary Assembly, we have heard of the loss of lives in the Malaysian Plane
crash, loss of lives in Palestine and Syria, and different kinds of sufferings
in many parts of the world. We pray for all those who lost their lives and
express our solidarity with the countries affected.
Plenary Assembly, we have heard of the loss of lives in the Malaysian Plane
crash, loss of lives in Palestine and Syria, and different kinds of sufferings
in many parts of the world. We pray for all those who lost their lives and
express our solidarity with the countries affected.
Conclusion
We are thanking God, the Almighty, for bringing us together to share and
experience the priestly communion that Jesus Christ prayed for, “That they may be one” (Jn 17:21). As your Shepherds, we assure
you of our prayers and reiterate the words of St. Paul to the Philippians, “I constantly pray with you in every one of
my prayers for all of you … because I hold you in my heart” (Phil 1:4, 7). We
entrust you to the intercession and maternal care of our Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother
of God and Our Lady of Africa.
experience the priestly communion that Jesus Christ prayed for, “That they may be one” (Jn 17:21). As your Shepherds, we assure
you of our prayers and reiterate the words of St. Paul to the Philippians, “I constantly pray with you in every one of
my prayers for all of you … because I hold you in my heart” (Phil 1:4, 7). We
entrust you to the intercession and maternal care of our Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother
of God and Our Lady of Africa.
Signed: Date: 26 July 2014, Lilongwe, Malawi.
Most Rev. Berhaneyesus Souraphiel, CM
CHAIRMAN
