AMECEA PLENARY: Active Participation of Delegates at Bishops 20th Plenary is Key to a Successful Assembly, Says AMECEA Chairman

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Chairman of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), Bishop Charles Kasonde, has urged delegates to the 20^th Plenary Assembly to participate actively for the success of the event.

Speaking to thousands of congregants that attended the opening mass held at Benjamin Mkapa stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, July 10, 2022, Bishop Kasonde called upon the delegates for active participation saying, “Let us make this 20^th AMECEA plenary assembly a special ecclesial moment for the Church in Eastern Africa. It is my prayer that, guided by the spirit of pastoral solidarity, each one of us play their role to make this gathering a successful convocation.”

Bishop Kasonde, who is the Local Ordinary of Solwezi Diocese in Zambia is expectant that the assembly will be a “a Spirt-filled moment of grace and discernment” and that after the week-long assembly, all the delegates will be “re-energized, motivated and continue walking the path of new evangelization as guided by Pope Francis’ message of Encyclical Laudato Si.

The Bishop further expressed his gratitude to God that the plenary has finally taken off following the Covid-19 pandemic which hit the world making AMECEA bishops uncertain if the plenary would take place or not.

“Entering this stadium today, I felt gladdened, strengthened and encouraged by your faith and enthusiasm at this opening Mass of the 20^th AMECEA Plenary Assembly. It is a miracle indeed that we can gather physically in this stadium after two years of Covid-19 lockdown which shook the entire world,” Bishop Kasonde said.

Bishop Kasonde has further asked participants of the 20^th AMECEA plenary assembly, to pray for those suffering in various ways in the region and entire society.

“As we come together as one family of God let us use this opportunity to meditate and pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering because of wars, political intolerance, economic hardships and lack of freedom. Guided by the spirit of solidarity, cooperation and peaceful co-existence let us remember, in a special way, those who are deprived these fundamental human values in our region and beyond,” Bishop Kasonde says.

And Bishop Kasonde has registered his appreciation to Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) and the government of Tanzania, for their faith in God and culture of hospitality.

The week-long assembly being held under the theme: Environmental Impact on Integral Human Development, has brought together delegates, invited guests, and other partners from the eight AMECEA countries, Vatican and other continents across the globe to deliberate on way forward concerning climate crisis that is affecting not only AMECEA countries but also the whole world.

“At this 20^th plenary assembly, the delegates congregate to deliberate on the delicate matter of care for our common home. This is an urgent challenge as environmental degradation and its impact threatens the very existence of humanity that Jesus came to save,” the chairman had underscored earlier in his welcoming message.

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