KENYA: Woman Ready to Participate in Reconciliation and Peace Building Process in Africa
 |
| Group Photo of the SECAM meeting participants with H.E. Cardinal Njue, Archbishop of Nairobi |
Participants of the just concluded Pan
African Meeting of Catholic Women have praised the event terming it a tremendous
opportunity for women to participate more in Reconciliation and peace building
processes both in the family, the community, the Church and the whole of
Africa.
African Meeting of Catholic Women have praised the event terming it a tremendous
opportunity for women to participate more in Reconciliation and peace building
processes both in the family, the community, the Church and the whole of
Africa.
Speaking at the conclusion of the meeting on
Wednesday in Nairobi, a representative of the women said that the Symposium of
Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has made a very good
start by involving African women in the process of reconciliation especially
during this year of reconciliation.
Wednesday in Nairobi, a representative of the women said that the Symposium of
Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has made a very good
start by involving African women in the process of reconciliation especially
during this year of reconciliation.
Ms. Yetneberesh Nigussie from Ethiopia, who
was chosen to speak on behave of all the participant said that the meeting has
seen women from 18 countries in Africa speak in one language of peace, the
language differences notwithstanding. “The mothers, religious woman, the young
women even on social media, the professional women in their careers have proven
that the Christian message of peace is actually achievable. We have made
commitments to promote the social teachings of the Church having the Principles
of Human Dignity, Universal destination, Common Good to all as well as
solidarity and subsidiarity,” she said.
was chosen to speak on behave of all the participant said that the meeting has
seen women from 18 countries in Africa speak in one language of peace, the
language differences notwithstanding. “The mothers, religious woman, the young
women even on social media, the professional women in their careers have proven
that the Christian message of peace is actually achievable. We have made
commitments to promote the social teachings of the Church having the Principles
of Human Dignity, Universal destination, Common Good to all as well as
solidarity and subsidiarity,” she said.
Ms. Nigussie expressed hope that God will
work in the women to bring a tremendous impact in the reconciliation process
despite the fact that women are traditionally believed to be disadvantaged and
weak.
work in the women to bring a tremendous impact in the reconciliation process
despite the fact that women are traditionally believed to be disadvantaged and
weak.
“We know that women are not the prime actors
of conflicts but they are the prime victims. We hereby commit ourselves to make
sure that the Catholic Church through the women will make a point to the world
where mothers can be cited and meaningfully invited to contribute to ending
conflict and human suffering in Africa,” she said.
of conflicts but they are the prime victims. We hereby commit ourselves to make
sure that the Catholic Church through the women will make a point to the world
where mothers can be cited and meaningfully invited to contribute to ending
conflict and human suffering in Africa,” she said.
On behalf of African Women Ms. Nigussie appealed
to the clergy to support them in prayer and guidance that will take them into
light of uncovering the shadow of peace and reconciliation.
to the clergy to support them in prayer and guidance that will take them into
light of uncovering the shadow of peace and reconciliation.
As a show of their commitment, the women
wrote an appeal letter through SECAM to the Government and the people of
Burundi expressing their sympathy to the loss of life and human Suffering in
Burundi and other African Countries following the conflicts over electoral
process.
wrote an appeal letter through SECAM to the Government and the people of
Burundi expressing their sympathy to the loss of life and human Suffering in
Burundi and other African Countries following the conflicts over electoral
process.
A copy of letter that was sent to AMECEA Online News says in part, “…
Informed about the violence that is happening in Burundi and other African
Countries, it is with deep sorrow that we deplore the loss of human lives… We
therefore with one voice condemn all the killings happening in those countries
and call upon those governments to do everything in their power to stop all
killings and protect the lives of all the innocents.”
Informed about the violence that is happening in Burundi and other African
Countries, it is with deep sorrow that we deplore the loss of human lives… We
therefore with one voice condemn all the killings happening in those countries
and call upon those governments to do everything in their power to stop all
killings and protect the lives of all the innocents.”
By Pamela
Adinda, AMECEA Online News
Adinda, AMECEA Online News
