AMECEA PLENARY: Thousands Turn Up for Opening Ceremony of 20th AMECEA Plenary
Dalphina Rubyema-
The AMECEA Plenary was officially launched on 10th July 2022 at Tanzania National Stadium known as Benjamini William Mkapa Satadium, where thousands turned up for the ceremony.
The event was preceded by the Holy Mass where Archbishop Emeritus of Nairobi Archdiocese John Cardinal Njue was the main celebrant and concelebrated by four cardinals together with more than one hundred bishops and priests from different countries in AMECEA region.
It was around 9:30 AM in the morning, on Sunday the 10th of July, as the procession of cardinals, bishops and priests proceeded to the altar coloured by different flags of each Country member of AMECEA held by Scout Tanzania.
The procession was also coloured by the long que of bishops, while the choir sung beautiful songs which was also supported by the lay faithful who were shouting in joy from each corner of the stadium.
At the same time, the Pontifical Missionary Society –Holy Childhood danced with joy around each corner of the stadium supported by Tanzania Catholic Women Movement (WAWATA) and Tanzania Men Association (UWAKA).
The President of the Congregation for the Evangelization of the Peoples Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle inspired the thousands after giving a reflective homily.
His reflection insisted on unconditional love to the creation, that people should see God in whatever He created.
There was a solidarity among the nations represented in the Plenary by citing the intercession in their ethnic language.
It was Malawi that began the prayer for the faithful with the intention of praying for religious leaders, while the second intention was for Eritrea to pray for the success of the AMECEA General Assembly. Third intention was for Tanzania praying for peace, the fourth was for Zambia praying for vocation, while the last intercession on Environmental Protection was cited using Kinyoro-Kitoro language used by the people of Western Uganda.
However, the first reading was read by the blind man named Saito Kimore. This inspired many showing how the church recognizes the membership of the people living with disabilities and that the responsibility of evangelization is for everyone.
Some lay faithful expressed their feelings about the Holy Mass saying that it is a historical event.
“I have never seen live a Holy Mass attended by more than three bishops. Today I have seen the procession of more than one hundred bishops. I am really blessed,” said Mary Msuya a lay faithful from Dar es Salaam.
Lilian Ndinda Musia from Kenya expressed that she was impressed by Cardinal Tagle’s homily. That God is near, God is real through His creation. She said she was blessed by every word of Cardinal Tagle.
Rev. Gerald Omunyin from Kenya stated that the opening Mass at Mkapa Stadium was sacred and that each moment blessed his day.
“That was out of good preparation from the coordinating committee. Everything was organised well especially the children who were singing and dancing in liturgical rhythm and the lay faithful were active. It was a great day the Lord made for us,” he explained.
The Minister of Lands, Housing and Human Settlement in Tanzania Dr. Angeline Mabula attended the Holy Mass. She said that the Catholic Church is on the right move to make the environment her agenda. This shows how it demonstrates and practice the care for physical and spiritual welfare of the society.
“I sincerely respect the efforts of the Catholic Church for planning that every family ensures that at least one tree grows… this also supports the government efforts in environmental care and conservation,” she said.
