AMECEA: Regional Bishops Conference bid Farewell to Secretary General, Social Communication Coordinator and Rector of Bakanja
H.E. John Cardinal Njue led the thanksgiving Mass for the outgoing team
Patron of AMECEA, H.E. John Cardinal Njue, Archbishop of Nairobi, together with the Chairman of AMECEA Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde, Bishop of Solwezi, Zambia, led the staff members from AMECEA Secretariat, the Catholic University of Eastern Africa and AMECEA Blessed Bakanja College in bidding farewell to outgoing staff members of AMECEA Secretariat as Blessed Bakanja College while at the same time officially welcome the new members. This took place in Nairobi on Wednesday, 29th August, 2018 at an occasion which was was graced by representatives from partner organizations and friends of AMECEA
Fr. Lugonzo and Fr. Ndaga cutting farewell cake
Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo from the Diocese of Kakamega (Kenya), Rev. Fr. Chrisantus Ndaga from the Diocese of Mahenge (Tanzania) and Rev. Fr. Patrick Nyongesa also from the Diocese of Kakamega finished their mandates to AMECEA at the 19th Plenary Assembly, which was held in July this year in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They served as Secretary General, Coordinator of AMECEA Social Communications Department and Rector of AMECEA Blessed Bakanja College respectively.
While addressing the people who had gathered for the farewell ceremony, Cardinal Njue who is also Chairman of AMECEA Finance Committee reminded the gathering that, “We are coming from far, we are still far and we are going far, that is the reality.”
Remarking about the contribution of the outgoing staff to AMECEA, His Eminence John Cardinal Njue said to those remaining at the Institutions, and to the incoming members, that the seed has been planted and it was now their duty to make sure that it is watered.“Planting the seed of faith is not as difficult as is the watering and weeding. As person who has been called be
in the front-line and give a sense of direction should do exactly just that so that all the people he is leading can produce fruits,” he commented, urging the new office bearers to be focused and to be ahead of their people always.
“Let each and everyone be dedicated in making sure that the mission that is entrusted to them is fully fulfilled and when it is done, be it there at the Secretariat, at CUEA or Bakanja, that seed should be able to grow.”
led the invited guests and AMECEA
Institutions staff in thanking the
outgoing team
The AMECEA Chairman, Rt. Rev. Kasonde, appreciated the outgoing team saying that their commitment to the growth of the AMECEA family has taken Institutions to the next level.
“You have done so well in our AMECEA Institutions, thank you for the splendid work, commitment and contributions to the growth and sustainability of our institutions. We are grateful to you for your innovation and zealousness for the Church of Christ,” he said.
Bishop Kasonde also prayed that the Lord helps the new team to settle down quickly and begin to contribute to the Institutions as required by their offices.
“Guided by the Secretary General, Fr. Anthony Makunde, we have a great team at the Catholic Secretariat of AMECEA, with hardworking members of staff and Management team, who are going to render service together with you,” he said.
The chairman who is also the new Chancellor for Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) praised the outgoing Vice Chancellor Prof. Justus Mbae, saying that for the last two years that he served CUEA in that capacity, the Institution is slowly getting back to stability.
“You came in at the time of quietening the storm, when the situation at CUEA was turbulent; we hope that we are slowly getting there and we thank you for your commitment and zealousness to duty,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of AMECEA Secretariat Staff, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo, the acting Deputy Secretary General and Coordinator of AMECEA Pastoral Department thanked the outgoing staff for their contribution.
“We appreciate your friendship, which is more than what these simple words can express. I’m pretty sure that your legacy lives on our minds.”
To the new members joining the team at the Secretariat, Fr. Chimombo said, “It is our wish that your coming will rejuvenate the cordial relationship that has existed so far. Running a Church institution, like any other institution, is like a relay race; one runs with a baton and after covering a considerable distance hands it over to another person. The receiver picks the baton, does his part, and then hands it over to yet another person until the end of the race. Our outgoing leaders have done their part and have now handed over the mantle to us. Let us focus on the positive strides they have achieved during their tenure of office. Let us pick up the baton and continue with the race,” Fr. Chimombo said.
∽End∽
