ETHIOPIA: Bishops appreciate AMECEA collaboration and encourage more focus on Youth Apostolate
Most Rev. Anthony Muheria, Archbishop of Nyeri, Kenya during his presentation at AMECEA 19th Plenary Assembly in Addis Ababa
Most Rev. Anthony Muheria, the Archbishop of Nyeri, Kenya has challenged the AMECEA Bishops to focus on Youth Apostolate to harness their enthusiasm by organizing regional youth celebrations like “World Youth Day” across countries.
In his presentation on 18th, July, 2018, during the AMECEA 19th Plenary Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Archbishop Muheria said there is need to Promote organized charitable projects across AMECEA Region by encouraging volunteerism across AMECEA for youth.
“This new re-evangelization really must start with me, by letting Christ break into my heart!” he said.
He urged bishops to accompany youth more, review the method of instructing them and encourage practical charity and solid devotions that build communion with Christ and lead to forgiveness and healing.
The Prelate pointed out the root causes of non-evangelization of the heart to be shallow faith and social challenges that bring desperation adding that, Jesus teaches forgiveness and love for those who hurt others.
He encouraged inward looking faith instead of upward looking. “Inward looking means praying looking at yourself; seeking individual gratification. Upward Looking seeks Union and Communion with God,” he clarified.
Meanwhile, in his Homily during the Holy mass celebrated by His Eminence John Cardinal Njue on the same day, Most Rev. Martin Kivuva, Archbishop of Mombasa, Kenya greatly appreciated the coming together of the AMECEA Conferences. He called it a blessing that enhances collaboration and sharing of not only reflection moments to engage each other on matters of importance but also sharing of resources like the clergy and the religious men and women.
He cited example of one of the AMECEA Bishops who visited him in his diocese to request for at least one
priest to help in the work of evangelization saying the bishop who flown all the way to Kenya had insufficient priests in his diocese.
giving homily during Eucharistic Celebrations animated by
Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Archbishop Kivuva while appreciating solidarity of bishops, expressed gratitude for togetherness when Kenya faced election crisis caused by closely contested presidential election which was followed by nullification of the presidential election and repeat election in 2017, a situation that caused tension and violence in some parts of the country.
He said people expect bishops to provide guidance hence the need to minister even to others from different faith and denomination expressing worry that they can be easily swayed away.
“Respond positively, bringing them closer to us to address issues that are common like corruption, good governance, poverty and many others,” he advised.
Archbishop Kivuva also noted that it was a blessing and a privilege to have institutions of learning, like the Catholic University of astern Africa (CUEA), Ggaba Pastoral Institute and Blessed Bakanja College.
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By Rose Achiego
