AMECEA: “We Must Give Greater Attention to Catechetical Instructions in AMECEA Region,” says Prelate
Bishop Chairman of the Pastoral Department, Rt. Rev. Rogathy Kimaryo
Pascal Mwanache
Bishop Chairman of the Pastoral Department for the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) Rt. Rev. Rogathy Kimaryo has said that the Church in AMECEA region must arm itself and give greater attention to catechists and the catechetical instructions to its people, adding that failure to do so will make believers to turn to paganism as it is for the churches of North Africa and Europe.
Bishop Kimaryo, who is also the Ordinary for Same Catholic Diocese in Tanzania said this while giving his opening remark in a two-day meeting that brought together heads of the Department of Catechesis and Heads of Catechesis Centers from AMECEA member countries, held at the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) Kurasini, Dar es Salaam.
“This is important for if we do not take action like we are doing here, our Church in the region of AMECEA will face to what happened to the Church in North Africa whereby it was completely wiped away by the force of Islam. If we don’t pay attention to our church in the region, pagan will be easily legalized as what is happening in Europe which is now anti-Christianity” said bishop Kimaryo.
He also added that the AMECEA bishops can testify to the role of catechesis, that the work of evangelization in the region cannot be successful without their support and collaboration. He reminded participants that such a meeting is vital as it reflects the state of catechesis, the state of catechetical centres as well as catechists and the need for a review so as to be relevant to the current signs of times.
“We are compelled to work together in the spirit of synodality. We also intend to attempt to respond to the pope’s call for the establishment of the ministry of catechists in the Catholic Church where the pope issued a motto proprio ‘Antiqum Ministerium’ on 10th of May, 2021. Having considered the important roles the catechists play in the church the AMECEA Bishops during their 19th Plenary Assembly held in Addis Ababa Ethiopia resolved that greater attention be given to catechists and catechetical instructions in the region” he added.
On his part AMECEA Secretary General Rev. Fr. Antony Makunde said that the need for formation is the key address from the Synod delegates and that formation is a crucial aspect for every baptized person.
“For those who have read the final document of the synod you will see how that particular section has been repeated in various parts. And we are told that this formation is for each and every one. Formation for the bishops, formation for the clergy, formation for religious, and formation for lay people. And pope in his personal intervention said formation has no end and has no boundaries. We are sitting with this concept of formation and we are here to share, to brainstorm together as AMECEA” he said.
Welcoming the meeting delegates, the TEC Deputy Secretary General Rev. Fr. Chesco Msaga emphasized the use of modern means of communication in the digital world in order to propagate the faith.
“We have seen in our world today the mushrooming of new churches with theologies. We must also emphasize the use of mass media in the digital world. In order to be successful in the propagation of faith we should use modern means of communication such as Television, radio, and digital media. If we do not use these powerful media other people with bad intention will use them to distort the beliefs of our people” he said.
