In order to be in solidarity in the face of people’s suffering, the bishops made appeal on the following: -

The AMECEA youth testified that the celebration was to test and to enrich young people’s faith. They had to sit and walk long distances under the scorching sun and travel in congested buses and trains. But the Pope was a source of encouragement especially in the last few days when they saw him struggle to come early and stay awake with them.

The Holy Father, John Paul II reminded the young people that Christ is real, loves them and will always love them and that Jesus waits for them when there is nothing that satisfies them in this world. He also called them to be true disciples and to be faithful in their daily lives. He assured them that in their struggle against sin they are not alone, so many like them are struggling and through the Lord’s grace are winning.

The youth of AMECEA Secretariat and other young people had stories to tell that not even language barriers would prevent them from encountering the wonderful experience. When no language seemed to bring them together the language of the heart was there to help them communicate and they can proudly say that neither English, nor Spanish, nor French, or any other language would bring them closer than the language of the heart.

After the celebrations, the young people could be heard commenting that they were grateful to the Pope and the Church in general for this wonderful celebration and also to all those people who worked tirelessly to make it a success. They were also grateful to those who supported them financially to enable them join the other young people. To all they say, God bless!

The action taken by the Catholic Church in Zambia to organise a National Jubilee Congress is a challenge to many African countries who are experiencing social, economic and political instability. The Zambians have shown that any vital change must start at the stage of awareness of a problem and the need to forgive and begin anew.

Some of the results of the discussions were heard as the delegates, Bishops, Priests, Religious and Lay Catholics, asked for forgiveness and reconciliation. They spoke of using materialistic ways of thinking and so failing to be faithful witnesses to the Gospel. The delegates mentioned the need for a Faith centered on the Bible, Catholic Teaching and the Liturgy. The leaders of the Church asked for forgiveness for not treating the Church as Family and abusing the power they had by dominating others and refusing to listen to them, and especially encouraging women and youth to participate freely in decision making.

In their self-examination many groups felt the need to strengthen both their Catholic and their cultural identity. The Gospel needed to be more central to their lives, they felt, and their African culture had not received the respect it deserved. There was a syndrome of dependence on missionaries and foreign resources, and also a conflict between trusting in the power of spirits rather than the Holy Spirit. This resulted in youths not having a stand of their own culture, wives forced culturally to be submissive, property being grabbed, and the practice of witchcraft and witch hunting. Cultural ways of praying were also not integrated in Christian prayer, and there was a lack of sensitivity to tradition in naming, initiation and marriage processes.

It was found that the family as custodian of culture should play its part. There could be more African influence in priestly formation through the family, with the Small Christian Communities developing and showing respect for their Catholic and African Identities.

Research in rooting the faith in Zambian culture would remove the attitude of living a double life. The sacraments, priestly vestments, and use of "Inkula" and "Impemba" instead of Holy Oils are some of the opportunities for such integration. Pride in Zambian culture would then be the result of such research and inculturation, which would bring about reconciliation with the past and integration of the faith of the Zambian Catholic. This would also encourage a personal conversion to Christ within the Catholic Church.

Among the social issues discussed during the Congress were poor economic policies followed in Zambia today, resulting in poverty, poor salaries and lack of adequate agricultural output. Child abuse in the form of child labour, abandonment of children , sexual harassment, denial of the right to education and good health, and the misuse of dues to orphans at the death of their parents and relatives was another social issue that needs to be addressed. Justice within the Church was also discussed. It was found that there were poor wages for Church workers, poor spiritual formation of the laity for lack of funds compared to the long formation of the clergy, sometimes people being unjustly deprived of the Eucharist and other sacraments by individuals in the parish, lack of commitment by church leaders, poor accountability and lack of transparency in church finances, and discrimination of the poor, women and children in the church.

The delegates committed themselves to an ongoing Christian formation and the practice of a spirituality of Justice and Peace – to read, pray and study the scriptures in their families and Christian Communities.

The damaged facilities are: four air conditioners, one digital computer and accessories for the editing of video clips, two digital video cameras, two VHS 1000 video cameras, three video tape recorder, two mini disc recorders for interviews, four multi-directional microphones, computerized recording and editing system for radio production, two television monitors for news monitoring, three computers for the press and audio visual, micro cassette recorder and micro cassettes for interviews, one canon professional photographing camera with zoom and flash, one canon ordinary photographing camera, two big studio tables and ten chairs.

The list of damaged items is endless, therefore the Executive Secretary for Communications, Rev. Fr. Celestino Paul is appealing to all well wishers to give any support to help in the re-construction of a new studio and purchase new equipment for radio and television production.

The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has appointed Rev. Fr. Francis Baldacchino, OFM cap., as the first bishop of the new created Malindi Diocese. Malindi Diocese territory has been taken from Garissa and Mombasa Archdiocese.

He has studied at Pontifical Gregorian University and attained a Licentiate in Theology, Pontifical Biblical Institute and attained a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture and Franciscan Studio Biblicum in Jerusalem. He worked as an assistant parish priest, head of studies, professor of theology at Florina Seminary, Malta. He has also been a prefect of studies, professor at the new National Institute for Religions in Malta. He later came to Kenya in the Apostolic Prefecture of Garissa and he opened a Capuchin Parish. He was a Superior of the Capuchin Custody in Kenya.

He studied one-year pastoral course at the Pontifical Institute of Arabic and Islamic studies in Rome. Between 1993 – 1998, Bishop-Elect was the founder editor of the quarterly magazine " Come-Closer", which fosters dialogue between Christians and Muslims in Kenya. Since 1994 to the date of his appointment he was the Vicar General of Garissa Diocese.

NEW SECRETARY FOR AMECEA SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

Sr. Florence Anaso, LSOSF has been appointed as the new Secretary for AMECEA Social Communications Department. Sr. Anaso served in the same office from 1994 till 1998 when she went to pursue a Diploma Course in Communications at Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya. She completed her studies in May 2000, just before her appointment.

She replaces Sr. Agnes Lucy Lando. We take this opportunity to thank Sr. Lando for her dedicated efforts towards the services of AMECEA during her term of office and wish Sr. Anaso success in her new appointment.

SUDAN

Bishop Cesare advised Father Andrea to teach the people with conviction on what he believes in and also to denounce what is evil, while being gentle on those who go astray, being a minister of reconciliation bearing in mind that God broke him off from war and violence and enabled him to pursue his priestly vocation. Father Andrea called all the people of good will to pray for him to overcome vices of this world.

AMECEA Executive Board meeting is scheduled for 11th -13th September 2000. The members are representatives from each member Conference. The members will deliberate on issues pertaining to the welfare of AMECEA Region.

The Secretaries General of UNDA and OCIC - Fr. Pierre Belanger S.J. and Mr. Robert Molhant respectively, clarified on the place of Africa in the face of the merger organization. They also gave relevant information on the expectations of funding agencies from applicants. They gave each applicant the Munich Document to peruse through and give their feedback on the structuring of the new association for example: what kind of services they would like. This document is to be shared in each country. They are also searching for a name for the new association and any suggestions are welcome, a few names have already been floated. One strong suggestion they had was for each country to form some kind of Catholic association with a national representation of all the media centers (Video, Radio, Tv, Print, Training Centers etc) with a committee that can represent the country at International level at the meetings.

A challenging presentation on "Planning Diocesan communication" was given by Fr. Robert White of the Gregorian University. He strongly urged the delegates to review their roles as social communication agents within the diocesan and parish communication plan. They were reminded that communication media should be an integral part of the diocesan and national plan and should be designed within the goals of the diocesan pastoral programs.

There was a two-day workshop on Management by Mr. Joe Mwangi from CORAT Africa, Nairobi, Kenya. The training revolved pertinent issues of management for example how to manage change within an organization, the meaning and scope of strategic planning. It also gave insight on how to succeed in our role as agents of communication.

A timely and crucial aspect on "The Internet and the Church" was addressed. A need to advance with modern technology (e-mail & internet) as communicators as we work towards collaboration.

The grand celebrations started with a Holy Mass in the AMECEA chapel at 5.00 p.m. In this thanks-giving mass we prayed for all the people who have worked in this office over the years, and in a special way for our donors and partners. The group then proceeded to the Grand Regency Hotel for a dinner party. The members had a good time sharing their experiences at AMECEA Social Communications office. The need to have this practice in future was felt.

This celebration marked the beginning of the re-establishment of our commitment in this ministry. For the members who did not turn up we wish to inform you that the AMECEA Social Communications still needs your support.