ACWECA: “No Culture is Superior”: Cardinal de AVIS on ACWECA 18th Plenary Assembly
Sr Mary Lilly Driciru, MSMMC
“No culture is superior; this would be contrary to the Gospel teaching. It is important to know that culture is transformed by Gospel values because the Gospel is above all. We need to convert by turning like the inverted pyramid and if possible, make a circle thus, being inclusive. A lot has been done in projects, we need to revisit the Gospel and be close to the people.”
His Eminence, Joao Braz Cardinal de AVIS, Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (CICLSAL) made this observation in his keynote address at the opening of the 18th ACWECA Plenary Assembly.
Cardinal de AVIS also called upon ACWECA members to observe synodality, which means journey together. He appreciated the theme that will guide the Assembly Re-awaken the Prophetic Role: A call to Re-formation towards Holistic Transformation in ACWECA Region Today (Jn 17:16-18).
“The prophetic role of the Consecrated life is a call for holistic transformation for today’s times. It is also the desire of Pope Francis to see you wake up the world through the prophetic role, that helps Jesus to live in this world through our own lives,” he said while commenting on the theme.
The five -day Assembly has been organized by the Association of the Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA) in collaboration with Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK). It is being conducted online due to the prevailing COVID-19 with only a few attending on site from Dimesse Spiritual Centre in Nairobi.
The Assembly opened with Holy Mass Presided over by Rev.Fr. Stephen Omondi, who stood in place of His Lordship David Kamau the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Nairobi and in charge of Religious in Kenya. Fr. Stephen challenged the participants to be effective prophets since they would be judged by their actions, inactions and intentions. “The heavens only listen to the songs from humble and contrite heart. You ought to be a holy and pleasing sacrifice to God,” he added.
ACWECA President, Mother Mary Cecilia Njeri, LSOSF, in her opening remarks told the Assembly that this event was postponed from August 2020.
“The 18th Plenary Assembly should have taken place in August 2020 but it was postponed due to COVID-19 from August last year to 23-27 August, 2021; being hosted at Dimesse Retreat Centre, Nairobi, Kenya. The call prophetic re-awakening is best now because there is more need to witness now than ever!”
ACWECA region that comprise of ten countries: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe. The assembly has attracted over 160 participants from all over the world. Alongside presentations of the day, the program is punctuated with YouTube projections of ACWECA regional activities, special prayer for the Assembly, Apostolic Blessings from Pope Francis and group discussions.
Meanwhile, Fr. Anthony Makunde, AMECEA Secretary General who felt honored to be part of the team has urged the participants to make miraculous witness by casting into the deep. “Like Simon Peter who followed the Lord’s instruction (Lk: 5:5), re-awaken the inner desire of being transformed and reformed towards holistic transformation. Prophesy is born when we are challenged by God. Unity in communion is our strength, we can make use of it in AMECEA region.”
In another development, Sr. Mary Gitau IBVM, took the participants through the theme and said, “As Religious we are called to bring good news to the people: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, Your God is King(Isaiah 52: 7).”
She reminded them of the Religious as being set apart, being called to be mystics and always seeking to discern God’s will for the present.
“Prophets were people who focused on the present; discerning the will of God in the events that were happening at that particular time. They analyzed what was happening around them. They were fully immersed in the lives of their people. In this way, their message had a context. This immersion did not deter them from being so connected with God that they heard His voice and message and rallied it to the people. This they did in spite of the challenges, rejections, oppositions or the persecutions they faced,” she underscored.
Sr. Mary Gitau IBVM went further saying, “Religious women today need to do the same with great conviction and ability to withstand what opposes their call to witness Christ in the world. Constantly open to the present times and what is happening in the here and now with regard to the socio – political – cultural – religious world. In this complexity, to continuously discern what the Lord is saying to his people and to be the voice that articulates that message, remain the prophetic call of women Religious.”
