AMECEA: New Rector of AMECEA Blessed Bakanja College Officially Takes Over
Handing Over team with Students and staff of AMECEA Bakanja College
In a handing over ceremony that was witnessed by the Archbishop of Nairobi H.E. John Cardinal Njue, who is Chairman of the institution, the outgoing Rector Rev. Fr. Patrick Nyongesa from the Diocese of Kakamega in Kenya, has officially handed over the responsibilities to his successor Rev. Fr. Peter Moudie Zingari from the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambia, South Sudan.
AMECEA Bakanja College and Catholic University of
Eastern Africa (CUEA) during the handing over ceremony at
Bakanja College
Fr. Nyongesa thanked the Chairman, AMECEA secretariat, CUEA staff and administration for the support they have given them throughout the eight years he and his colleagues served at the institution.
“It is my prayer and hope that the support will continue. The college has been in existence for 20 years and is progressing well despite the many challenges here and there,” Fr. Nyongesa said, adding that the number of Formators residing at the college include the rector and the general spiritual director. However, they usually get assistance from CUEA particularly the Dean of Theology, the Liturgist as well as the First Cycle Academic Affairs personnel from CUEA.
Fr. Nyongesa explained that Blessed Bakanja AMECEA College is administered and governed by the Seminary Commission of AMECEA. This includes the chairperson, who is the local ordinary of the Archdiocese of Nairobi, two bishops from AMECEA Countries elected by the Plenary. Other members include the Secretary General of AMECEA, the Vice Chancellor of CUEA, Dean of Theology at CUEA, and the Chief Finance Officer in CUEA.
“It was proposed that two rectors from different Theological Seminaries from AMECEA countries be made members through co-option. The Commission meets once a year to discuss various issues on the formation program of the institution.”
In his handing over report, Fr. Nyongesa proposed some ways of improving the activities of Blessed Bakanja AMECEA College. These includes the need to relook at the reasons that led to the establishment of the institution and its current relationship with CUEA.
“It is our humble request that the lay faithful working in CUEA be properly inducted about the relationship that Bakanja has with CUEA. This will help to improve working relations between the two institutions,” he said
He also appealed to AMECEA Conferences to send their seminarians to Bakanja AMECEA College. Though he appreciated the response, he said it is a bit on the lower side. At the same time, he emphasized the need to identify suitable person to become as Vice Rector
Also present during the occasion were the outgoing Secretary General of AMECEA Very Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo, the new AMECEA Secretary General Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Makunde, the Outgoing and incoming Vice Chancellors of Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Prof. Justus Mbae and Rev. Fr. Stephen Mbugua respectively, Dean of theology at CUEA Rev. Fr. Frederick Wanjala and AMECEA Social Communications Coordinator Rev. Fr. Andrew Kaufa.
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By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
