AMECEA AND ACWECA: Convene Second Meeting on Synod on Synodality
Sr Hellen Kasaka
The Association of Member Episcopal Conference in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) in close collaboration with the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA) convened a consultative meeting on Synod of delegates at St. Mary’s National Major Seminary, Ggaba Kampala in Uganda on 25th August 2022.
The two day meeting which was graced by Msgr. John Baptist Kauta the Secretary General of the Uganda Episcopal Conference was attended by Secretary Generals in the AMECEA region and Religious Sisters Secretary Generals.
In his opening remarks the Secretary General for AMECEA, Fr. Anthony Makunde said the meeting came as a result of the need for the entire Church in the AMECEA region to continue journeying together, and of the AMECEA Executive Board’s call for strengthening the collaborations with ACWECA.
“This is to ensure there is synergy and strengthen the relationship of pastoral agents at all levels, hence activities taking place in the member conferences call us to come together and strengthen our collaborations,” he said.
He added, that on the issue of Synod on Synodality, Pope Francis has called all members of the Church to work together; and to ensure that the Religious Sisters work closely with National Conferences of Catholic Bishops.
In her opening remarks, Sr. Bridgid Samba Secretary General for the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa applauded members for attending in large numbers.
She urged Religious Sister to share stories and that this is an opportunity for them to realize their responsibilities towards Christians.
Quoting an example of the Uganda Martyrs, Sr. Bridgid called upon members to be strong and resilient despite the many challenges being faced in their apostolate.
“Let’s not be comfortable where we are but serve our brothers and sisters who need us because there’s a need for us to connect to the people who need us the religious,” Sr. Bridget emphasized.
The Deputy Secretary General and Regional Pastoral Coordinator, Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo in his sharing on the Synod on Synodality, highlighted the major theme based on a synodal journey in the AMECEA region. He said Synod on Synodality is progressive and will move in three phases, starting from the Diocesan level which involves consultations, listening to Christians followed by Synthesis to the final National report.
During the meeting, a brief of the current project on Synod on Synodality being implemented by Collaborations between AMECEA and ACWECA was shared.
It was noted that the project came in when the 1 phase of the Synod 2021-2023 is coming to an end and therefore several activities already concluded. Conducting formal review meetings and creating synergy in the Church to ensure the synod process is well attended to and reports prepared and shared with Rome in good time.
This is the second consultative progressive meeting of its kind as the first one was held in Dar es Salaam. There will be such continuous consultative meetings until a final National report is published after two years which the Synod on Synodality will take.
AMECEA and ACWECA came up with a joint project to facilitate more collaborations in the spirit of Synodality.
