ETHIOPIA: AMECEA Chairman thanks AMECEA Executive Board Members for their dedicated services
AMECEA Executive Board Members
The Chairman of AMECEA (Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa), H.E. Berhanayesus Cardinal Sourphiel, has thanked the AMECEA Executive Board Members for their great efforts in the past four years under his leadership.
Speaking during the Chairman’s Dinner at Intercontinental Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia held on 13th July, 2018, which brought together the AMECEA Executive Board Members and the Secretariat, the Chairman said that the unity and dedication of the Executive Members gave him an easy time during his service in office.
“One of the successful solidarity visit of the Amecea Executive Board has been to Eritrea, which was ten months ago,” Cardinal Berhanayesus said during the Dinner adding “Who knew at that time that the move of the two countries would come out so well? What we are realizing now is one of our fruits. We also had solidarity visit to South Sudan, and we are hopeful for positive results.”
He added that the togetherness of the Executive Board Members has led AMECEA to be one of the most successful regional Conferences in Africa whose fruits can be realized.
Expounding separately in an interview with Amecea Online, the Cardinal said that the leadership has been an enriching service with a lot of teachings, that he gave freely and with great responsibility.
“I learned a lot, not only from the Conference but also from the people. With the secretariat I could go to visit the emigrants in different countries. It is a humbling experience of learning and understanding how we are different but united in one faith especially in the Catholic Church,” he explained.
In his speech, the Chairman of the AMECEA Social Communications Department, Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde who spoke on behalf of the Executive Board Members of AMECEA, also sent a congratulatory message to the AMECEA Secretariat, the partners and the Executive members who have been supportive.
“In gratitude, we would like to say thank you to the Catholic Secretariat of AMECEA. You are the wings on which we have been moving and the success of our meetings are greatly contributed to your preparedness and willingness to do the job as required,” the prelate said.
He added: “For our cooperating partners United States Conference of Catholic Bishop (USCCB), you have been our great partners, not only at the Catholic Secretariat, but also in our Conferences in the region where you have been contributing through the pastoral solidarity and we are grateful for your faithfulness. Our being here today is because each one of us has done his or her part,” he stated.
Speaking at the same Chairman’s dinner, the Secretary General of AMECEA, Most Rev. Ferdinand Lugonzo said that the AMECEA Executive Board members have been the spiritual leaders and parents to the entire region, and the directions that they have given, has enabled AMECEA to be successful to the four years of service.
He further appreciated the partners who have been of great support to AMECEA and whose continued contributions have made AMECEA realize its goals.
“To our partners, especially the USCCB, we have never felt shy to say that you are the most consistent partners that we have as AMECEA Secretariat. Thank you for accompanying us, for being part of us and for helping us understand the operations of USCCB solidarity fund,” Fr. Lugonzo explained.
The Dinner concluded with the AMECEA Chairman issuing acknowledgement letters to all the Executive Board Members for their dedicated services they offered willingly in the AMECEA region for the past four years.
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Sr. Antoinette Jecinter Okoth, FSSA
