ACWECA: Priest Calls for Unity

Sr. Helen Kasaka, LSMI

A Catholic priest pursuing further studies at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa Fr. Oswald Mulenga has called for unity among members of the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA).

Fr. Mulenga, a Salesian of Don Bosco, said this during a Eucharistic celebration at the ACWECA secretariat in Nairobi Kenya which marked the beginning of the New Year for the association.

He urged ACWECA to embrace inclusivity in their work.

“Involve lay people, ordained ministers, and the consecrated people in your work. That is what synodality means in the context of Christianity,” Fr. Mulenga said.

He said faith, which is a common denominator amongst the ACWECA members, should continue growing all the time.

“This is a journey of a people who have the same objective, meaning salvation. So, as you are saving here as ACWECA, remember that you are a community motivated by faith. This is a journey which is regulated by laws because things cannot be done anyhow,” he said.

He warned the members to avoid competing against one another saying doing so shows unfaithfulness

“If the members are to move in a more governed and regulated way, life will be given as that is the purpose of law. In nature, if you look very critically, for instance, trees are governed by law and they obey the rules. As much as we need the church to be effective and deeply spiritual, we need also a family to be effective and deeply spiritual. Know your position and be good in it just like in a football team,” Fr. Mulenga said.

Speaking at the same event the Secretary General fo Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) Fr. Anthony Makunde commended ACWECA for its hospitality.

“For us who are foreigners in the country, we feel the hospitality of the Kenyans, it is beyond explanation,” Makunde said in appreciation of the Sisters for their work.

“The sisters with or without transport are there in critical missions and not only the Sisters here at ACWECA secretariat but all over and you know them,” he said.

ACWECA Secretary General Sr. Bridgita Samba said ACWECA is a group of Catholic Sisters operating in 10 African Countries which include Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe as an affiliate.