ACWECA: AWRIM Set to Host 19th Plenary Assembly of ACWECA
Sr. Helen Kasaka, LSMI
The Association of Women Religious Institutes of Malawi (AWRIM) is set to host the 19th Plenary Assembly of the Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA), from Monday, August 19 to 24, 2024 in Lilongwe, Malawi.
ACWECA is the umbrella body of the Catholic Consecrated Religious Sisters in the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA) region.
This will be a two-tier celebration as ACWECA will be marking 50 years since its inception.
ACWECA Secretary General, Sr. Bridgita Samba Mwawasi says all is set for Malawi to host the long-awaited plenary at the Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe as preparations are now at an advanced stage.
Sr. Mwawasi told members of staff at the secretariat in Nairobi that all the main organizing committees and subcommittees are currently in the course of finalizing the whole preparatory exercise for the plenary.
She said the fundraising and finance committees are carrying out several local resource mobilization activities such as a mock bridal shower, and distribution of envelopes to some Catholics and well-wishers for support.
She said the sub-committee also produced a special ACWECA cloth (Chitenje) and local bags for fundraising for the plenary.
She added that the bishops have allowed the committee to have Sunday collections towards the event.
“Activities are still underway to raise more funds to meet the budget. However, the Secretary-General is already grateful to the bishops, all Catholics and well-wishers who have contributed a lot to the funding of the various activities,” said Sr. Mwawasi.
Malawi will host at least 200 delegates during the plenary. These include the ACWECA executive board, the staff, and the Council of Delegates who have voting powers.
Also present at the Assembly will be a team of observers who will represent the International Union of Superiors Generals, Religious women from outside the ACWECA region, and donor partners.
She said delegates will start arriving in Malawi through Kamuzu International Airport on August 14.
“After a colorful official opening Mass on the 19th of August at CIVO Stadium, the major part shall be the discussion of the theme: “Transformative holistic formation for authentic living towards a deeper evangelization in the ACWECA region and beyond and the celebration of Golden Jubilee),” she said.
Some of the topics to be discussed during the plenary include revitalizing consecrated life and religious identity today; holistic religious formation in view of living the Charism of the Congregation and the Gospel Values and mental health and self-care in religious Congregation today.
“While thanking the people for their generosity, we once again appeal to all Catholics and people of good-will to support financially the activities since the Preparations Committee is still in the process of fundraising to cover the budget, “said Sr. Mwawasi.
It is 16 years since Malawi hosted the ACWECA Plenary at Natural Resources College (NRC) in Lilongwe.
