CUEA: Catholic Universities are Beacons of Holistic Development – Bishop Kimengich At Writers Conference
Bishop Dominic Kimengich
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
At the Annual International Writers’ Conference convened at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) Gaba Campus in the Diocese of Eldoret in Kenya, the Local Ordinary of the Diocese during his welcoming remarks to the participants, stressed that one of the roles of a Catholic University is to be a beacon of intellectual growth.
Addressing African scholars on Wednesday, September 28, at the official opening of the conference, Bishop Dominic Kimengich disclosed the intent of the bishops of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) in establishing Catholic Universities.
“The bishops aim when they established institutes of higher learning, particularly, the Catholic Universities was that these Universities become beacons of intellectual, spiritual, and psychological growth,” Bishop Kimengich narrated adding that these institutions were meant “to help in integrating holistic and analytic education that bring faith at the forefront”
He acknowledged: “A Catholic University ought to be identified by its true search for the whole truth about the nature of the human person and God,” hence, “The fact that the Christian notion of God is Trinitarian ought to help us see that to be like God is not to be alone and independent but to be in relation.”
According to the Prelate who has been at the helm of Eldoret Diocese which is located in the Rift Valley region of Kenya since November 2019, “Catholic Universities must be identified by a strong focus on academic excellence and as they advance the transit of knowledge.”
The AMECEA representative emphasized in his Wednesday message that “being a Catholic University is realizing Catholic ideals, principles and values.”
Speaking on the theme of the 12th International Writers conference “Catholic University as Catalyst for the Transformation of Africa,” Bishop Kimengich highlighted that “The interplay of Theology and secular is clearly evident in the sub-themes, thus scholars of various disciplines are invited to mutually engage and uncover the fact that the sacred and the secular, are on play to help us acquire truth in fullness.”
“This is because, if the whole world is God’s creation, then the study of geology or astronomy, while each has its own methods distinct from Theology or Philosophy, will reveal something that is important to the Christian believer, precisely, because it is a study of creation,” he added.
The Bishop further emphasized that the three-day conference should enrich and empower participants through the presentations from esteemed scholars and also to invigorate and stimulate a wonderful exchange of knowledge.”
Speaking during the opening session, the Ag. Director-delegate for Gaba Campus Dr. Beatrice Jemaiyo narrated that the conference has various intentions one of which is to “fulfill one of the CUEA’s objective which is to foster quality research for publication.”
Dr. Jemaiyo disclosed that the papers presented at the conference are later published in the African Ecclesial Review (AFER) journal which was founded by the AMECEA bishops to provide a means of evangelization through publications and are then produced by AMECEA Gaba publications, CUEA press.
