UGANDA: African Bishops Relieving the Spirit of Brotherliness and Fraternity says AMECEA Chairman
Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde, AMECEA Chairman & Bishop of Solwezi Zambia
AMECEA Chairman Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde has said that the celebrations of SECAM’s Golden Jubilee which is currently taking place in Kampala Uganda is an opportunity for African Bishops to revisit what St. John Paul II proclaimed for Africa in the Synod, that the African Church becomes primal and important in servicing the community, especially through the Small Christian Community.
Commenting on the theme for the celebrations Church-Family of God in Africa, Celebrate Your Jubilee! Proclaim Jesus Christ Your Saviour! Rt. Rev. Kasonde, Bishop of Solwezi Zambia said that the declaration of the ‘Church in Africa as the family of God’ is very important as African Bishops reflects on what was proclaimed by our Founding Fathers that “we may be much more members of this Church of God and the Church as a family.”
“Looking at the encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of us were baptized in his death and resurrection hence we are a new Creation, the encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ should be seen in the way we act, relate and live with our brothers and sisters,” Bishop Kasonde said.
He further indicated that Africa is traumatized by wars, ethnic divisions, corruption, and a number of vices. The African Bishops are therefore questioning the possibilities and practicalities of Africans exercising fraternal love to their neighbours.
“If we love our brothers and sisters the way we love ourselves, is it not possible to do the same to others as well. How can we foster justice, peace, fairness, equality and equity? Is it possible for us Africans to live in harmony with one another so that justice should be seen permeating all the confines of our living here on earth? We should be just in the way we manage our affairs: for the civic leaders in the way we run our countries; for Religious leaders in the way we run our institutions; our dioceses and families in the way we manage the affairs and bring up our children.”
This, Bishop Kasonde said, is what they as African Bishops are reliving in the context of SECAM during this meeting so that all may become good and converted Christians from within and from outside so that they may continue to celebrate joyfully Christ the saviour of the universe.
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By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA
