ZAMBIA: ZEC hosts a Conference for the Council of Laity in Eastern Africa
Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has hosted a
conference for the Council of Laity in Eastern Africa (COLEA). The conference
is an initiative of AMECEA Pastoral Department in collaboration with National
Pastoral Coordinators towards reviving COLEA as forum where the laity are able
to interact, give witness to their faith, exchange knowledge, and enrich one
another through sharing of experiences and creating a sense of belonging in the
Region to the one family of God, the Church.
conference for the Council of Laity in Eastern Africa (COLEA). The conference
is an initiative of AMECEA Pastoral Department in collaboration with National
Pastoral Coordinators towards reviving COLEA as forum where the laity are able
to interact, give witness to their faith, exchange knowledge, and enrich one
another through sharing of experiences and creating a sense of belonging in the
Region to the one family of God, the Church.
The three-day conference which was held in Lusaka
Zambia started on Tuesday 16th-February under the theme: “The
Vocation of the Laity in the Life of the Church and Society Today.”
Zambia started on Tuesday 16th-February under the theme: “The
Vocation of the Laity in the Life of the Church and Society Today.”
“The Conference for the Reviving of COLEA is meant
to enhance collaboration with the activities that promote Lay Apostolate
through Conferences organized by the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of
Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and the Pontifical Commission for the Laity,” said
Fr. Febian Pikiti, the AMECEA Pastoral coordinator.
to enhance collaboration with the activities that promote Lay Apostolate
through Conferences organized by the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of
Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and the Pontifical Commission for the Laity,” said
Fr. Febian Pikiti, the AMECEA Pastoral coordinator.
Among the many expectations expressed by the
participants at the beginning of the conference included desire for networking,
sharing of experiences and learning from one another. The participants also
expressed their joy that the conference is coming at an opportune time when
unity in the church is very important and solidarity is paramount.
participants at the beginning of the conference included desire for networking,
sharing of experiences and learning from one another. The participants also
expressed their joy that the conference is coming at an opportune time when
unity in the church is very important and solidarity is paramount.
Fr. Pikiti said that from experience at all the
AMECEA Plenary Assemblies, it is evident that the success of hosting them depends
on the enormous contribution of the laity, participation at liturgy, provision
of services and financial contributions from the Parishes. “It is, therefore,
important that the revival of the Council of the laity in Eastern Africa
(COLEA) be done in order to promote structures of collaboration of the laity
with the Bishops in the AMECEA region so as to enhance their participation in
the mission of the Church.”
AMECEA Plenary Assemblies, it is evident that the success of hosting them depends
on the enormous contribution of the laity, participation at liturgy, provision
of services and financial contributions from the Parishes. “It is, therefore,
important that the revival of the Council of the laity in Eastern Africa
(COLEA) be done in order to promote structures of collaboration of the laity
with the Bishops in the AMECEA region so as to enhance their participation in
the mission of the Church.”
Addressing the conference
participants, The Secretary General of the ZEC Rev. Fr. Cleophas Lungu
challenged them to exercise their mandate by being true backbone of the Church.
participants, The Secretary General of the ZEC Rev. Fr. Cleophas Lungu
challenged them to exercise their mandate by being true backbone of the Church.
Fr. Lungu referred to the three
documents of the Church; the Post Synodal Exhortation Africae Munus, Apostolic
Exhortation on new Evangelization Evangelii Gaudium and the Apostolic Letter
Misericordiae Vultus.
documents of the Church; the Post Synodal Exhortation Africae Munus, Apostolic
Exhortation on new Evangelization Evangelii Gaudium and the Apostolic Letter
Misericordiae Vultus.
He asked the participants to be
agents of mercy especially as they continue with the journey during this
Jubilee Year of Mercy.
agents of mercy especially as they continue with the journey during this
Jubilee Year of Mercy.
The conference was officially
opened by Rt. Rev. Clement Mulenga, ZEC Chairman for Pastoral and Bishop of
Kabwe Diocese. In attendance included ZEC Secretary General Rev. Fr. Cleophas
Lungu, National Secretaries for Pastoral Departments, and delegates comprising
of heads of various lay catholic Associations and movements.
opened by Rt. Rev. Clement Mulenga, ZEC Chairman for Pastoral and Bishop of
Kabwe Diocese. In attendance included ZEC Secretary General Rev. Fr. Cleophas
Lungu, National Secretaries for Pastoral Departments, and delegates comprising
of heads of various lay catholic Associations and movements.
By Pamela
Adinda, AMECEA Online News
