ETHIOPIA: ‘Persistent Conflicts in the Region determined the AMECEA Plenary Theme’, says AMECEA Sec General
AMECEA Secretary General Very Rev. Father (Fr.) Ferdinand Lugonzo, has indicated that the theme of the 19th AMECEA Plenary Assembly, which is scheduled for July, 2018 in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, has been shaped by the persistent Conflict in the region.
Speaking during the AMECEA Board meeting in Ethiopia on 17th, May, 2018, Fr. Lugonzo explained that the persistent conflict in the region is manifested in the huge numbers of refugees in the region, the reality of migration and the long standing poor political situation which exists between Eritrea and Ethiopia; not forgetting the internal wars in South Sudan and the social political situation in Sudan as well as the lack of peace in the wider Great Lakes Region within which some of the membership of AMECEA lies; in addition to this is the problem of terrorism and to some extent the apparent fundamentalism in the region.
together with AMECEA 19th Plenary Assembly Preparatory
Committee in Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Based on these realities, the theme for 19th AMECEA Plenary Assembly is Vibrant Diversity, Equal Dignity and Peaceful Unity in God in the AMECEA Region. “So basically in a way we are directing the 19th AMECEA Plenary Assembly delegates to think in the direction of these problems as we make the reflections during the study session.”
Fr. Lugonzo further explained that one of the objectives of AMECEA was to help study progress of common interests in the Catholic Church in Eastern Africa and to suggest possible solutions and coordinated actions for the member Episcopal conferences. Through the years the objective has been at the heart of the section of themes for plenary assemblies. According to him, ordinarily themes are selected by AMECEA Executive board after careful study of the emerging issues in the region and in consultation with heads of AMECEA Institutions.
He further expressed that the 19th AMECEA Plenary Assembly therefore wish to carry out an in-depth study of causes and manifestations of conflict in the region in order to come up with concrete practical resolutions that would help the Church become more proactive in responding to conflicts in the region.
“Ultimately through this theme AMECEA is actually calling all the players in the reality of conflicts to acknowledge the diversity within the region, appreciate and promote primordial human dignity so that all may be committed towards working for peace and unity in the region. Key to the realization of all these aspects enshrined in this theme is the fact that we are all sons and daughters of the same creator, God the Father of all the citizens of AMECEA Region,” he explained.
Consequently in order to help the delegates to exhaust their reflections on the theme of the AMECEA Plenary Assembly, there shall be five key presentations to help the Bishops make decisions regarding the way forward for the Church in the AMECEA Region. Usually there are two sessions that makes up the AMECEA plenary assembly, these includes the study session that would reflect on the theme and the business session where reports are given and elections of the heads of AMECEA Institutions are conducted.
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By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
