SECAM: CRS Reaffirms Its Commitment to Africa During SECAM’s 20th Plenary
By Sr. Henriette Anne, FSSA
Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the humanitarian arm of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as an organization reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Catholic Church in Africa during the 20th Plenary Assembly of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) in Kigali, Rwanda.
“The African continent is and will remain one of our priorities. We assure you that we will continue, within the limits of available means, to support the Church of the continent through SECAM, as well as its regional and national ramifications, with which we have developed very good collaboration,” the CRS representative, Mr. Jude Marie Banatte, shared in a solidarity message to SECAM.
Representing the President and the entire CRS, the delegate expressed appreciation for the opportunity to stand in communion with the entire African episcopate.
The delegate noted that translating love and charity to their brothers and sisters in Africa who are in need through SECAM is their mission and mandate that their Lord Jesus Christ entrusted to them as a way of witnessing Christ’s Love wherever it is needed.
The CRS representative acknowledged the fraternal support they received through His Eminence Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo on behalf of SECAM during the difficult period caused by the shift in US Foreign Assistance policy and stressed that the new orientation has impacted various organizations.
Despite the challenges, the CRS delegate thanked the faithful Catholics of the United States, all the participants in their program, and all men and women of goodwill for their prayers and maintained that they will continue to fulfill their part in accomplishing the joint mission of fostering the integral development of their people and contribute to a more just and united world.
“Thanks to your prayers and those of many other participants in our programs, thanks to the support of the faithful Catholics of the United States and many men and women of goodwill, our organization will continue to fulfill its part in accomplishing our joint mission of fostering the integral development of our peoples, contributing to a more just and more united world,” Mr. Banatte said.
CRS expressed its desire to explore new frameworks for strengthening existing partnerships with the African Church.
“In this Jubilee year, the delegate said, “we wish, in this jubilee year, to remain in continuous dialogue with the Catholic Church in Africa to accompany you in the realization of your programs that are in line with our joint vision.”
In conclusion, the CRS renewed its solidarity with the Church in Africa in the 2oth SECAM Plenary held under the theme “Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation, and Peace.”
