AMECEA: Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism Key Pillars to Peace-building
By Pascal Mwanache, TEC
The AMECEA Secretariat has facilitated a two-day training for heads of Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue departments from the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam, Dioceses of Mtwara and Kondoa, to support strengthening ecumenical and inter-religious structures, capacity and skills development, partnerships and collaboration for broader impacts in respective dioceses and national at large.
Giving out his insights about power of ecumenism in peace building Mr. Bernard Okok Obuoga, Consultant for Peace Building and Conflict Resolution who has facilitated the training said that strengthening ecumenism and inter-religious structures brings an important milestone in ongoing commitment to strengthening ecumenical relations through the promotion of interreligious dialogue.
He also emphasized that the church through its teachings has the role to curb the political, economic, and social instability in the society, which continue to threaten the well-being of the people and failure to act upon such challenges gives a room for people and organizations with bad intentions to perpetuate their wrong doings in the given society.
“The failure of the government and peace stakeholders not to address the existing problems in the society can be used as loophole to people with bad intentions who can use local communities in perpetuating and using hardship of the community, local grievances and intolerance, thus endanger the peace. Our actions and strategies as church in AMECEA start here, that we must ensure that people have the knowledge to deal with prevention of violence extremism using catholic teachings” he said.
He also emphasized that education has a vital, indeed essential role to play in resolving conflicts, preventing their recurrence, healing the wounded, restoring justice, and upholding the equal dignity of all.
Winding up the training, the Secretary General of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) Rev. Fr. Charles Kitima acknowledged the initiatives made by AMECEA Secretariat Ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue Contribute a lot to a peaceful world through interfaith engagement.
He also added that conversations among people of different faith traditions and working together contribute to mutual understanding and trust between faith communities, social communities, and nations.
Tanzania is approaching to Local Government Elections in November 27, 2024 and National elections in October 2025.
