TANZANIA: AMECEA is the Fruit of Catholic Evangelization in Tanzania, Says Archbishop Msusa
Most Rev. Luke Thomas Msusa Vice Chairman AMECEA and Archbishop of Blantyre Malawi
Most Rev. Luke Thomas Msusa, Vice Chairman of AMECEA and Archbishop of Blantyre, Malawi has said that the 150-Years Jubilee celebration of Catholic faith in Tanzania is a celebration of all of Members Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa because AMECEA is a direct fruit of evangelization in Tanzania.
Speaking during the Jubilee celebrations which were held in Bagamoyo, Tanzania on November 4th, Archbishop Msusa who is also the Chairman of Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) said that the idea of forming a robust body, which is known today as AMECEA, was born in Tanzania. In 1960, the Bishops of the then Tanganyika proposed through the Apostolic Delegation that there be cooperation among Catholic Bishops in the Eastern Africa.
“This idea was unanimously accepted by the Bishops in the Region; and Rome gave its approval. It is no wonder then that the first AMECEA Plenary Assembly took place in Dar-es-Salaam in 1961. Since then, the Bishops of AMECEA region have been coming together in solidarity to plan together according to their pastoral vision and mission,” Archbishop Msusa explained.
Archbishop Msusa noted the spirit of collaboration of the Catholic Church in Tanzania as a living example in the region, saying that Tanzania has always been a generous Church by availing her personnel to work in different in AMECEA institutions such as the AMECEA Secretariat and as missionaries in the AMECEA countries.
“Today the Secretary General of AMECEA comes from Tanzania; your the personnel also goes to the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). There are many Tanzanians, priests, religious men and women who are offering services in the Region and beyond.”
Archbishop Msusa indicated that in order to continue with this celebration of 150 years, the AMECEA Bishops at the 19th AMECEA Plenary Assembly which took place in Addis Ababa Ethiopia in July 2018 resolved that the next AMECEA Plenary Assembly shall be held in Tanzania in July 2022.
“This means that Bishops, Priests, Religious men and women, and the Laity from all AMECEA Countries will come together to this land to celebrate the fact that, indeed in 1961 ,Tanzania gave birth to a baby who is growing each and every day. It will be an occasion to celebrate the baby with its mother where it was born.”
On behalf of AMECEA Bishops, Archbishop Msusa thanked the laity especially the lay professionals in the Region and particularly the lay professionals from Tanzania for supporting the growth of the Church in the spirit of self-reliance.
“To all who have dedicated themselves to serve the Church in Tanzania at various levels, the AMECEA Bishops express sincere gratitude,” he said.
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By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
