AMECEA: CUEA-Gaba Publication holds 6th International Writers Conference
By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
The Gaba Publications-CUEA Press of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa – Gaba Campus in collaboration with Moi University held the annual International Writers’ Conference from 20th-22nd September under the theme Conflict and Displacement in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities for the Church in Africa.
The highly intellectual occasion which was attended by AMECEA Secretary General Rev. Fr. Lugonzo and Director of CUEA Press Rev. Fr. Patrick Thawale among other academic scholars saw the awarding of Best-Selling Authors of AMECEA Gaba Publications –CUEA Press for the year 2016 Rev. Fr. Joseph Healey, MM and Rev. Fr. Benjamin Kiriswa of Eldoret Diocese.
Speaking after the award ceremony, AMECEA Communication Coordinator Rev. Fr. Chrisantus Ndaga said that Fr Healey’s award is an honor to AMECEA Secretariat and specifically the Social communication department where he worked as the First secretary in 1968.
According to the Coordinator of Gaba Publications Rev. Fr. Jordan Nyenyembe, the International Writers Conference was started six years ago following the need to establish stronger networks of contributors of articles for the publication of AMECEA Journal African Ecclesiastical Review – AFER.
This was because Gaba Publication was facing difficulties to get enough articles to run our sister publication AFER Journal which is published quarterly. It is then that discussions were opened that saw the establishment of a collaboration between Gaba and Moi University with a view to increase the number of contributors to the AFER Journal.
According to Fr. Jordan, the initiative has really helped. “From the themes that we present, scholars from different universities throughout the world come and present their papers and this gives us input. It also helps theology to dialogue with other disciplines on issues that theology alone cannot tackle, for instance issues such as migration and displacement.”
Fr. Nyenyembe further explained that the reflections during the Writers conference also assists the church in AMECEA to get some insight of scholars to set relevant pastoral strategies. “The conference has also been a good platform to encourage budding scholars especially priests who come as students of AMECEA Pastoral Institute. The conference offers them exposure as well as gives them motivation to become future researchers; something that is engraved in the Motto of the Campus, which is Excellence in Research and publication.”
The conference welcomes presentations not only from theologians or ordained ministers but people from diverse backgrounds to provide diversity which is guided by the chosen themes and tackles issues affecting humanity in contemporary world. However, in order for articles and presentations to fit in the policy of AMECEA Gaba publication, the presenters must incorporate their articles with pastoral insight.
The AWARD
It was the first time the Gaba Publication was giving an award during the Conference. According to Fr. Jordan the idea was born out of the need to appreciate the authors and also to encourage other writers.
“It is a new thing we are starting and the criteria that we follow is look at the personal efforts of the author to sell their work. Already we have reprinted the books of Fr. Healey and Fr. Kiriswa because they themselves have been championing the sale of their work and it has been moving very fast so we appreciate their efforts and we feel that their books are serving the Church,” Fr. Jordan explained adding that the awareness of the Small Christian Communities has grown because of the work of Fr. Healey while Fr. Kiriswa has given a good input in the Pastoral Council sector where so many people facing problems have greatly benefited.
Fr. Healey won the award for his book Building the Church as Family of God: Evaluation of Small Christian Communities in Eastern Africa, Eldoret: AMECEA Gaba Publications – CUEA Press Double Spearhead Nos. 199-200 (Print Version 2012 and 1st Reprint 2014). 163 pages; while Fr. Kiriswa won the award for his book Pastoral Counselling in Africa: An Integrated Model: AMECEA Gaba Publications – CUEA Press Double Spearhead Nos. 208-209 (First Published 2002 and Revised Edition Published 2014). 170 pages
