KENYA: AMECEA Justice, Peace and Caritas reaffirm commitment to diligently serve the Region

In an effort to implement the 17thAMECEA
Plenary Resolution on the need for Justice and Peace as well as Caritas
Commissions to find modalities to work closer together in an effort to bring
about the face of Christ to the people of God, National Caritas Directors and
National Justice and Peace Executive Secretaries from the AMECEA Region during
their first Regional Meeting held in Nairobi strongly reaffirmed their commitment
to fully collaborate rendering quality service to the society.

According to Mr. Antony Mbandi, Coordinator of
AMECEA Justice, Peace and Caritas Department, this Resolution was strengthened
during the 18thPlenary of AMECEA in Malawi in 2014 where the Bishops
passed another Resolution creating the department of Justice Peace and Caritas
in an effort to build synergies in the works of charity and mercy.

During their first Regional Meeting held in
Nairobion 6thto 8thFebruary, 2016, the National Caritas
Director and National Justice and Peace Executive Secretaries from AMECEA
Region made a number of commitment of which top on their list is to serve with
professionalism, compassion and care with formation of the heart, while committed
to always have the face of Christ in all their work with a clear focus on
enhancing the dignity of the people of God.

They also committed themselves to continue working
together through information and knowledge sharing while at the same time calling
upon other social departments to hold hands to serve the human persons. They
also called upon AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas Department to invest more in
research on topical areas affecting AMECEA conferences which include
extractives, migration/trafficking, conflict resolution, climate change and
livelihoods.

The group made a commitment to ensure good
stewardship in their work for the common good of all as well as focusing their programs
on formation guided by Catholic Social Teaching while emphasizing on ownership
and sustainability.

Other issues that were given priority during the
meeting included the extractive industries which more often than not are a
curse to the local communities rather than a blessing. A commitment was made to
have a stronger voice on negative effects of extractives and economic
injustices. On the issue of human trafficking and undocumented migration, they
committed themselves to address the root causes and the needs of the persons
who are affected. Another issue that was discussed was that of radicalization
in the region, they committed to develop and implement programs that promote
social justice with emphasis on economic issues affecting the youth.

Finally committed to network and collaborate with
other like-minded agencies and stakeholders working in the AMECEA region dealing
with various social issues in service of God’s people.

The meeting was made possible by the support of
CAFOD, a longtime partner of AMECEA Justice Peace and Caritas Department. It is
a culmination of a series of meetings and events that have been undertaken by
AMECEA. Ultimately, this meeting responded to 
the directive issued by His Holiness Pope Francis to find ways of
holding hands and creating more efficiency and effectiveness in an effort to
serve the people of God better and especially in the spirit of St. Francis of
Assisi who reminds us that the bond between concern for nature, justice for the
poor, commitment to society, and interior peace are inseparable. (Laudato Si 10).

By Pamela
Adinda, AMECEA Online News