AMECEA: “I am humbled” by Pope Francis’ Trust, Says AMECEA’s Social Communications Coordinator after Nomination as Consulter

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Fr. Andrew Kaufa the Social Communications Coordinator at the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA), as a Consultant in the Vatican’s Dicastery of Communications, the position the cleric accepts with humility.

In the official letter signed by the Vatican’s Secretary of State His Eminence Petro Cardinal Parolin, the message reads, “The Supreme Pontiff Francis has appointed the Rev. Father Andrew Kaufa, SMM as a Consultant for Communication for five years.”

“This is brought to the notice of the Reverend Father himself, so that he may be properly informed of the matter and behave in accordance with the same,” reads further an excerpt of the appointment letter shared with AMECEA online Friday, Saturday 23.

According to Fr. Kaufa, this follows Pope Francis’s appointment of new members of the Dicastery for Social Communication in the person of Bishop Valdi Jose de Castro of the Diocese of Campo Limpo and Archbishop Ivan Maffeis of Perugia, after which the Holy Father has also appointed a new more consultors to the Dicastery from across the world.

Sharing more about his appointment with AMECEA Online Saturday, Fr. Kaufa a member of the Missionaries of the Company of Mary (SMM) commonly referred to us the Montfort Missionaries expressed his acceptance of the duty saying, “I take this as recognition of our communication work at AMECEA, which gives all of us an honour and encouragement. On my part, I am humbled because this is an expression of the trust in me by the Holy Father.”

“I am also encouraged to find out from the communique of the Discatery dated September 29 that some of the consultors are people whom I have already worked with in the profession including the President of SIGNIS Dr Hellen Osman and Kenya Bishops Conference National Communication Secretary Sr Adelaide Ndilu SIHM and the Dean of the Faculty of Social Communications at the Pontifical Institute of Santa Croce in Rome Dr Daniel Arasa,” added Fr Kaufa.

The Malawian cleric who has served at AMECEA Secretariat since 2018, attributed his appointment to the collaboration of all Catholic communicators in the region and promises to always seek their professional guidance for the Dicastery’s informed decision making.

“This is not so much about me but all of us working in Church communication in AMECEA region, especially my colleagues here at AMECEA Secretariat. I would want to believe that Pope Francis appreciates people who listen and consult,” Fr. Kaufa narrated and continued, “Therefore, I will depend on the bishops and my brothers and sisters in the communication field to advise so that the Dicastery and the Holy Father are given correct information and reasonable recommendation.”

Asked the strategies he will put in place to help in carrying out this new mission for realization of its success Fr. Kaufa said, “I am sure that the Prefect of the Discatery Dr. Ruffini will give direction on how to work at that level.”

On my part, he added “I can only promise Pope Francis that I will work with total dedication in the spirit of collaboration with those in the Dicastery especially the Prefect himself, and to use my giftedness and talents for the good of the Church and the glory of God.”

The cleric who will continue with his work at AMECEA Secretariat revealed that the consultancy role is like being an advisory board member in an institute where members regularly meet and discuss pertinent issues hence “our role is simply to offer professional advice.”

Prior to his appointment as AMECEA’s Social Communications Coordinator in 2018, Fr. Kaufa was the director of Luntha Catholic Television in Malawi, a media project of the Montfort Missionaries. He is a holder of Masters degree in Mass Communication and Doctorate in Media Management.