ACWECA: “Wake up the World” Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa Challenged

Luke Bisani

Consecrated women in the eastern and central Africa have been challenged to wake up the world as they reflect on re-awakening their prophetic role in the Catholic Church.

Speaking during the opening of the 18th ACWECA Plenary Assembly of Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA), Secretary General of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) Fr. Anthony Makunde has urged the Religious women in the region to be guided by the words of Pope Francis that call upon all men and women in Religious life to help in a fight against poverty, tribalism, abuse, violence against vulnerable groups, corruption, materialism and environmental degradation.

“The prophetic role is much more needed in today’s modern world than ever before. Prophets hear the word of God and speak it with courage,” said Fr Makunde.

He added further “We are all charged by the Holy Father to “wake up the world” which is turning its back on God and his commandments, to wake up the world from the sleep of injustice, antagonism, oppression, exploitation, plunder, abuse and modern slavery”

Fr. Makunde then advised all the Catholic faithful to help in restoring humanity and the entire creation the values bestowed to them from the day of creation.

The Secretary General also applauded the existence of ACWECA and AMECEA in eastern and central Africa as they both a play a prophetic role in the mission that Jesus Christ left to his disciples.

He has advised ACWECA to work in unity with the bishops, Religious men, clergy and the entire Church in the region arguing that disunity will be detrimental to their calling and the end result shall be the Church in the region failing to inspire the people of God.

The 18^th ACWECA plenary assembly is being held under the theme “Re-Awaken the Prophetic Role: A Call for Re-formation Towards Holistic Transformation in ACWECA region today (Jn 17: 16-18)”.

The plenary that is being conducted in collaboration with the Association of Sisterhood in Kenya (AOSK) has brought together participants to a five-day virtual platform to discuss their prophetic role in the Church.