ZAMBIA: ACWECA Celebrates 40th Anniversary

The Association of Consecrated Women in
Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA) has celebrated its 40th
anniversary and the 16th assembly in style.

The long-awaited anniversary celebration of the consecrated
women was held at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus, Pope Square on 17th
August, 2014.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by
Bishop Patrick Chisanga of Mansa Diocese who is also the director of the
religious in Zambia.

In his homily, Bishop Chisanga urged the sisters to be
courageous and focused like the Canaanite woman, who proclaimed that the love
of God cannot be bound and limited.  Bishop
Chisanga encouraged the sisters to challenge prejudice and deceptiveness in
society.

Welcoming the congregation, the Chairperson of ACWECA Sr.
Margaret Aringo highlighted the major works the sisters are doing in the
region. She said the sisters are the backbone of the church and society, who
are involved in justice and peace issues, HIV and AIDS, orphanages, schools,
health care and other developmental activities.

Sister Aringo also stated the challenges that the
sisters go through in their work. She urged the sisters to continue being true
witnesses in their apostolates.

During the celebration a papal congratulatory message was
delivered to the congregation in the region. In the message the Holy Father
encouraged the sisters to serve Christ with an undivided heart.  Pope Francis’s message was conveyed to the
Church in the Eastern and Central African region by the Papal Nuncio to Malawi
and Zambia His Excellency, Julio Murat.  The message was read by Right Reverend Evans
Chinyemba, bishop of Mongu Diocese.

Meanwhile, Government representative at the occasion honourable
Nkandu Luo, who is also minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs commended
the Catholic Church for their great contribution to the development of the
country  through the work of the sisters.

Honourable Nkandu Luo said the developmental projects
which the sisters were running is a testimony of their love for humanity.

She assured the sisters of Government support in their
work. “You go about doing your work quietly, committed and dedicated. The
results you produce in your schools, the smooth running of your health
institutions and many other developments projects are a testimony of your love
for humanity” she said.

Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo Secretary General AMECEA

Addressing the ACWECA delegates, AMECEA Secretary General
Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo congratulated the association for clocking 40 years. He
encouraged the sisters to serve without fear and discover new ways of
evangelization. He added that the sisters should read the signs of time and
create true synergies in working together as a church. “Life begins at 40, so
we congratulate you and we are telling you as AMECEA that life begins. We
promise our support and commitment to work with all women religious for the
betterment of the region”.

Present at the function were the Bishop of Mongu,
Right Reverend Evans Chinyemba, AMECEA Secretary General representative Fr.
Ferdinand Lugonzo, Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) Secretary General Fr.
Cleophas Lungu, donor partners, priests, religious and the laity.

The 16th ACWECA General Assembly is being held at
Andrew Motel in Lusaka, Zambia from 16th to 29th August,
2014 under the theme “Go, do not be afraid and serve”. Some of the topics under
discussion are leadership, transparency and accountability, civil law and
cannon law.

Source:
Sr. Helen Kasaka