AN/17
16th October 2001 AN/17
16th October 2001 ERITREA
NEW BISHOP IN ASMARA
Asmara Diocese now has a new Bishop. In a four-hour solemn liturgical celebration
held at the Kidanemeheret Cathedral of Asmara Rev. Menghesteab Tesfamariam MCCJ
was ordained Bishop of Asmara, Eritrea on Sunday September 16th, 2001.
He was appointed Bishop by the Holy Father John Paul II, on May 12th, 2001 to
replace Bishop Zekarias Yohannes who has retired. Bishop Menghesteab was ordained
by Bishop Zekarias Yohannes assisted by Bishops Lucas Milesi of Barentu and
Tesfamariam Bedho of Keren. Also present were the Nuncio to Eritrea and Ethiopia,
Most Rev. Silvano Tomasi, Chairman of Uganda Episcopal Conference and Bishop
of Fortportal Diocese, Uganda, Rt. Rev. Paul Kalanda and four Orthodox Bishops
led by His Holiness Bishop Philipos. Others were, AMECEA Deputy Secretary General,
Rev. Fr. Patrick Mbyemeire; several government officials, three ministers, hundreds
of clergy, religious, and thousands of other faithful.
Among those present at a party held afterwards in honour of the new Bishop was
H.E. Sheik Alamin Usman Alamin, Mufti of the State of Eritrea.
Bishop Menghesteab was born in Berakit, a hamlet in Southern Eritrea in December,
1948. He joined the Comboni Seminary at Decamhare October, 1963. Owing to the
war, he left Eritrea and travelled to Uganda in 1975. There he joined Makerere
University,
graduating in Theology in 1978. He was ordained priest February 18th, 1979.
He has worked in Uganda, Ethiopia, US and Eritrea. In Eritrea he has worked
as Pastoral Coordinator for Asmara Diocese.
Asmara Diocese was first established in 1930. Bishop Menghesteab is the first
Bishop from a religious order.
Asmara is one of the three dioceses of Eritrea. Others are Barentu and Keren.
Catholics in Eritrea are the minority with the majority Moslems followed by
Orthodox Christians. (CISA)
SUDAN
CATHOLIC BISHOPS SPEAK OUT ON WAR
The Sudan Catholic Bishops on September 1st, 2001, concluded their annual Plenary
in Nairobi, Kenya, with a special message to the world to help bring peace to
Sudan. While expressing their gratitude for the solidarity they receive from
the Christian community world wide, the Bishops reiterated that their major
concern was the on-going civil war in Sudan.
In particular, "we are concerned about the impact of oil exploitation on
the war," the Bishops said in one of the documents released at the end
of their meeting.
They observed that the war had intensified over the past three years due to
the oil business, made possible by the completion of an oil pipeline by a consortium
of multinational corporations.
The Bishops said that if there was peace in Sudan, the exploitation of the country's
natural resources would be a factor for positive development. "Our country
is poor and in need of economic development. However, oil is not contributing
to the development..." the Bishops' statement said.
Instead, they pointed out, oil had become a major impediment to any kind of
development in Southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains and Southern Blue Nile.
Stating that they were the people's shepherds, the Bishops regretted that the
oil business has displaced and continues to displace hundreds of thousands of
civilians from their ancestral lands. "We witness this displacement of
our flocks from their homelands, driven away by helicopter gunshots, Antonov
bombers and government troops and militias in order for oil companies to work
in relative security."
The Bishops pointed out that "routine denial of humanitarian aid to affected
populations, is gross human rights violation which neither the government nor
the SPLA should be allowed to practice without any reaction from the international
community. We believe that these factors encourage the Government of Sudan to
seek a military rather than a negotiated settlement of the conflict."
"Private companies, like any other organ in the society," said the
Catholic prelates, "are obliged to abide by and promote respect for the
principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."
"In Sudan, the companies are profiting from gross and systematic violations
of human rights. They are complicit as they accept the protection of regular
troops and militia who commit human rights abuses with impunity," the statement
explained.
Turning to other world Episcopal Conferences, the Sudan Bishops urged them to
publicly appeal to their governments, oil companies, banks and other enterprises
to refrain from doing business with Sudan's oil industry before the attainment
of just peace.
SCBRC IN NEW PREMISES
The Sudan Catholic Bishops' Regional Conference (SCBRC) based in Nairobi has
opened up new premises for their Secretariat.
The official opening of the premises that took place August 25th, 2001, was
presided over by Bishop Joseph Gasi Abangite of Tombura/Yambio who is the Chairman
of SCBRC. Most Rev. Raphael Ndingi Mwana a' Nzeki the Archbishop of Nairobi
gave his apology. Among those who attended were the Archbishop of Khartoum,
Most Rev. Gabriel Zubeir Wako and Archbishop of Juba, Most Rev. Paulino Lukudu
Lodu. Present also were all other Sudanese Bishops who were attending their
plenary at the time. Other guests included Mr. Daniel Mboya, the Ambassador
of Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and Mr. Samson Kwaje,
Commissioner of Information and Spokesman of Sudan People Liberation Army/Movement
(SPLA/M).
The new offices are located on Ngong Road a few kilometres from Nairobi City
Center. SCBRC, founded in February 1997, is "an ecclesiastical assembly
of six Sudanese Bishops from SPLA/M liberated areas to help build the Kingdom
of God among the Sudanese people by fostering among the dioceses communications,
development, justice and peace." It also aims at building local capacities
in order to facilitate the realization of the people's potential to create a
more human society. The presence of the Secretariat in Nairobi was conditioned
by the war situation which does not allow the Bishops to carry out unified activities
at home.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Fr. Damian Adugu, the Secretary General, thanked
all who helped both materially and morally to realize the dream.
Hardly a month after, thieves reportedly broke into the new offices and stole
seven computers and other valuable equipment. About the September 14th, 2001,
night incident, Fr. Damian said that it was not clear how the thieves got access
into the offices when there were guards. Police are investigating the crime.
The Secretariat brings together the five dioceses of Tombura/Yambio, Torit,
El Obeid - Nuba Mountains, Yei and Rumbek and will host the departments of Social
Communications, Finance, Development, Education, Pastoral, Justice and Peace
.
KENYA
CHRISTIAN LEADERS SAY NO TO SCHOOL TRANSFER
The Christian Church leaders of Kenya have unanimously resolved to refuse the
demand of the government to surrender schools to African Independent Pentecostal
Church of Africa (AIPCA).
In a press statement released on September 13th, 2001, and signed by the six
leaders of the Christian churches the Bishops/sponsors agreed to continue dialogue
with the Ministry of Education concerning the matter. "We cannot handover
schools we have developed with the blessings of parents and local communities
for over 40 years" the statement said.
The schools founded in the 1940's, are currently managed by the Catholic Church,
the Methodists, Anglicans, Presbyterians, the African Inland Church (AIC) and
District Education Board (DEB).
Historically when the colonialists took away schools from the Kikuyu Independent
Schools Association, which ran them then, they were handed over to the local
communities who happened to be owners of the land. It is these communities which
in turn chose sponsors. That's how the Catholic Church and Holy Ghost Missionaries,
the Church of Scotland, AIC and DEB came in.
The Chairman of the Kenya Episcopal Conference Bishop John Njue had earlier
said, "the Catholic Church will not let go of any of its schools"
He regarded the move of the government in the matter as a plan by politicians
to divide the Church ahead of the constitutional review process.
Early August the Minister in the Office of the President Hon. Marsden Madoka,
announced that over 300 schools currently run by the government and major churches
in the Central Province would be handed over to the AIPCA to instill Kikuyu
cultural values among students. This was a reaction to the unrest that happened
to many schools in the area; and the measure was thought to be a means of curbing
such unrest.
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Secretary General Rev. Mutava
Musyimi saw the move as a ploy to fight civic education which AIPCA will not
provide to the schools in question. (CISA)
FR. KAISER'S DEATH STILL CRIES FOR JUSTICE
The day was 23rd of the month of August 2001. Kenyans whose thirst for human
rights is never quenched gathered at Ufungamano Conference Center Nairobi. Another
fighter for the voiceless dies defenseless. The mother defender promises to
leave no stone unturned. One after another, all the stones are turned and thrown
away. Where is the culprit? He either turned into a stone and was thrown away
or he could be the victim himself. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
report settled at the latter. Cross-sections of Kenyan society of the learned,
old, youth, christians, moslems, professionals and children were represented
at the conference. Present also were friends of Fr. Kaiser from abroad and within.
All these saw Fr. Kaiser not only as a carrier of the good news, a duty that
moved him from his American homeland, but also a human rights activist. The
mood was very somber. No one would doubt that there was a call for action.
Ever thought of genocide in Kenya! The allegation came from opposition Member
of Parliament, Paul Muite of Kabete (Central Kenya) when explaining the political
perspective in the death of Fr. Kaiser. For him, the clashes resulting from
the politically motivated conflicts in Gucha and Trans Mara districts are nothing
else other than genocide.
A number of speakers, professionals and experts, were invited and they analyzed
and critiqued the FBI report about Kaiser's death.
Perhaps what carried the day, in some peoples mind and reflected a people's
apparent mood, was no other than Ndungi Githuku, a Kenyan internationally acclaimed
human rights activist and an accomplished poet. As he took to the stage with
a song that preceded the poem, hearts could be seen roving for justice. With
a Rasta hairstyle, clad in jeans trousers and shirt, he kept moving the audience
beckoning for their support with his hands. The song in Swahili was literary
saying. ...If bullets, fear, enemies, persecution… should come, let us
be prepared. A number of faces with cheeks running with tears could not be avoided.
The poem dedicated to those whose life was lost through political persecution
came when people's emotions had been provoked "They have killed Kimathi
again and again… You cannot kill wananchi and run away. You cannot kill
Kaiser and run away. The Almighty will get you."
Fr. John Anthony Kaiser, an American Mill Hill priest, was found dead on Naivasha
Road with his car lying in a ditch opposite the road on the morning of August
24th, 2000. Members of the FBI were called in to investigate the cause of his
death. Their suicide version has ever since met rejection from many people in
Kenya and US. "The stand of the Catholic Bishops in Kenya (repeated August
20th, 2001), is still unwavering - we do not accept that Fr. Kaiser committed
suicide."
The symposium was one of the activities designed to celebrate the 1st anniversary
of the death of Fr. Kaiser. The activities lasted eleven days from 19th to 31st
August 2001. These included: press conference, night vigil at Naivasha where
Fr. Kaiser was found dead, and a number of memorial services in different places
all over Kenya.
Fr. Kaiser has become the model of the many Kenyans whose thirst for justice
and human right is never quenched as long as the political status quo in Kenya
remains unchanged "Indeed a government that is unable to protect the lives
of its citizens is a questionable one" the Bishops` statement released
earlier said. Many people believe that his efforts to speak for the voiceless
could have led him to a death, which still cries for justice. His death is one
of the many unresolved murders which reflect a culture of impunity and corruption.
Meanwhile, Kenyans are signing postcard petitions to pressurize the Attorney
General Hon. Amos Wako to hold an inquest into the death of Fr. Kaiser.
ZAMBIA
YATSANI RADIO COMMISSIONED
Yatsani Radio, the Catholic community radio station of the Lusaka Archdiocese,
Zambia was September 17th, 2001, officially commissioned by the Minister of
Information and Broadcasting Services, Hon.V. J. Mwaanga.
An audience of about three hundred people joined the Yatsani Radio staff and
volunteers to celebrate their new official status. The audience included representatives
of the church, Diplomatic Corps, Government, media, non-governmental organizations
and well wishers.
Yatsani Radio has been broadcasting since July 1st, 1999 on 99.1 FM. Its transmissions
were gradually increased from an initial four hours a day to the current 16
hours after receiving license for operation, late August, this year. Its transmissions
can be heard over a radius of approximately 120km around Lusaka, reaching an
audience of 2-3 million of both city and rural communities.
Local people make more than 90% of its programmes from the parishes. By far
the majority of these people had no previous training or experience in Radio
before they became involved in Yatsani Radio. Their involvement in Yatsani Radio
has been as completely unpaid volunteers.
Responding to the news of the granting of the full license to Yatsani Radio,
the Acting Director, Sr. Janet Fearns, said that Yatsani's thanks go, first
and foremost to God. Heartfelt thanks are then extended to all those who have
given so generously of their support, time and energy since the radio came into
being. The funding of the radio station has come from the British, Germans,
Danes and Irish. Educational materials have been funded by United States. The
radio is possibly about to receive funding through the Norwegians.
Yatsani radio, whose mission is "to be an instrument of unity and evangelization
within the Archdiocese of Lusaka", is the fourth catholic community based
radio in Zambia after Radio Icengelo (Ndola diocese), Radio Maria (Chipata diocese)
and Chikuni Radio (Monze diocese). It is at the same time the second to be officially
opened this year in AMECEA region. Radio Sapientia in Uganda was opened early
June.
AMECEA INSTITUTIONS
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
JUBILEE HALL INAUGURATED
The Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, Most Rev. Giovanni Tonucci has said that the
presence of youth in Rome for their Jubilee celebrations was a challenge to
those who have no faith.
The Nuncio was speaking as one of the guest speakers at the Catholic University
of Eastern Africa (CUEA) on the occasion of inaugurating the Jubilee Hall Wednesday,
September 19th, 2001. He explained that people who see religion as old-fashioned
could not understand what the two million were doing in Rome. More than two
million youth from all over the world gathered in Rome, August, 2000 to celebrate
the Jubilee for the youth. He was making remarks on the topic: "The Jubilee
Year, its impact on the universal Church and its repercussions at the threshold
of this new decade."
Speaking at the same occasion Mr. Wilfred Kiboro the Chief Executive Nation
Media Group, commenting on the topic "University Education and competitiveness
in this age of globalization", challenged the youth to provide direction
and leaders who can deliver in the present Kenya situation. He said that Kenya
needs a leader with moral principles, selfless, pragmatic and tolerant. He informed
the youth that the university and the Church are there to help the youth to
attain these qualities.
The Chancellor of the University, Archbishop Josaphat Louis Lebulu, testified
that the presence of such a building with facilities for teaching science is
an affirmation that science and religion are not opposed to each other but are
complementary.
The three-stored building, all internet connected, is rated one of the biggest
not only in Kenya but also in the whole of AMECEA region. With a three hundred
seater auditorium, six lecture rooms and ten seminar rooms, the building stands
to benefit the entire university community in facilities that are lacking in
many African Universities.
Other facilities are three science and language laboratories, a computer and
micro teaching laboratories and a cybercafe. The occasion was witnessed by members
of the university council, friends of CUEA, lecturers, and students.
AMECEA SECRETARIAT
BISHOPS SPEAK OUT ON TERRORISM
We, the Catholic Bishops of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences
in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), meeting as an Executive Board at Kapingila House,
Lusaka, Zambia from September 24th to 28th 2001, convey our deepest condolences
and sympathy to the USA government and all the American peoples for the loss
of thousands of innocent lives and wanton destruction of property and infrastructure
worthy millions of Dollars as a result of the barbaric terrorist acts committed
in New York and Washington on September 11th, 2001. We deplore and condemn these
dastardly, inhuman and unchristian terrorist acts. We pledge our prayers for
those who have perished in this distaster and our solidarity and moral support
for all American families and institutions that have experienced untold anguish
and pain following this tragic event.
Mindful of the natural and human inclination to respond to such atrocities with
equal, if not worse, vengeance and revenge, we earnestly implore President George
W. Bush, his government, the American people in general as well as his international
Allies to refrain from excessive use of military force in addressing this issue.
Let whatever action to be taken in response to this provocative act be motivated
not by its gravity, but by the need to address the root causes of terrorism
in modern society which includes injustice, selfishness, excessive lust for
power and fame and the unfair distribution of world resources.
May our Lord Jesus Christ's wish "that they may have life and have it abundantly"
(John 10:10) prevail especially during this trying period in America history.
The statement was signed by Bishop Noel O'Regan, Vice-Chairman and Fr. Peter
Mulomole, Secretary General
SR. FLORENCE FOR STUDIES
Sr. Florence Anaso of the Little Sisters of St. Francis (LSOSF) has left AMECEA
for further studies. Florence, who joined AMECEA Social Communications department
as an administrative secretary in 1994, and was later raised to a Head of department
in 1996, left for further studies in Mass Communication at Daystar University,
Nairobi.
Sr. Florence who is known for her dedicated service, patience and humility will
be missed by the Secretariat for the time she will be away.
We take this opportunity to thank her very sincerely for the dedication and
handwork during her term of office and wish her successful studies.
Meanwhile, the AMECEA Executive Board held in Lusaka Zambia, September 24th
to 27th, 2001, appointed Frs. Eugene Ngoma and Charles Mutabaruka as Acting
Head of Department and Assistant respectively.
AMECEA/IMBISA Training course on
Pastoral Communication and Social Action
is on :
Dates: Monday February 4th to
Saturday May 4th 2002
Venue: St. Francis Spiritual Center,
Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya
IMBISA
REFUGEE WORKSHOP
Thirty-four participants from various countries of mainly Southern and Central
Africa have concluded a two-week training workshop with a call on the church
to be actively involved in the alleviating the suffering of refugees, internally
displaced persons and migrants.
The workshop under the theme: "Formation Training workshop for Pastoral
Care for Refugees, Migrants and Uprooted people", was organized by Interregional
meeting of Bishops in Southern Africa (IMBISA) Refugee Service and was conducted
at Mutare Pastoral Training Center, 263km east of Harare, Zimbabwe. The workshop
took place from September 24th to October 6th, 2001. It drew participants from
South Africa, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Angola and Zimbabwe. Others were
from Sudan, Kenya, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
During the workshop the participants visited Tongogara Refugee Camp in Zimbabwe
where about eight hundred refugees mainly from the Great Lakes region stay.
After the Eucharistic Celebration led by Bishop Alexio Muchabaiwa of Mutare
Diocese and President of Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference, participants
witnessed the official opening of IMBISA house in the camp.
Presenting certificates at the official closing of the workshop, October 6th,
2001, the Director of IMBISA Fr. Constantine Mashonganyika thanked participants
for responding to the invitation and facilitators for availing
their experience to the participants. "We thank you very much for availing
your experiences and moving along with the participants" he said. In particular
he thanked Ms Renata Jagustovic of International Catholic Migration Commission
(ICMC) Training, Africa Branch based in Abuja, Nigeria for enhancing the partnership
which IMBISA has had for many years with ICMC in the field with refugees.
Among other facilitators were Bishops Alexio Muchabaiwa and Patrick Mugume (Auxiliary)
both of Mutare Diocese and Dr. Ernest Maigurira of ICMC Zimbabwe.
In a bid to further strengthen the mutual cooperation and sharing experiences
between IMBISA and AMECEA, Fr. Charles Mutabaruka of AMECEA Social Communications
attended the workshop.
Of the world's twenty one million refugees, six million stay in Africa; 1.6
of whom are from the Great Lakes region. IMBISA region hosts about half of this
number.
BISHOPS PLENARY
The Interregional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA)
concluded the 6th Plenary that was held in Harare from July 31st to August 8th,
2001.
The Assembly held at Chishawasha Regional Seminary in Harare Zimbabwe consisted
of 62 Bishops, 2 Vicars General and 11 Auxiliary staff from nine countries of
Southern Africa, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Sao Tome and
Principe, Swaziland, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Guided by the theme "Poverty
& Economic Justice in Southern Africa in the New Millennium - A Christian
Approach", the Bishops recommended among others that IMBISA be represented
at the Regional groupings such as SADC (the South African Development Community)
and COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa). The
Bishops also reco3.mmended that in order to alleviate hunger, projects in Small
Christian Communities be promoted.
Speaking about the plenary Fr. Peter Mulomole the AMECEA Secretary General who
represented AMECEA Bishop Chairman said that the plenary was successful and
quite challenging. He lauded the relevancy of the theme, for it reflected the
common problem of the region at the moment. Despite structural adjustment programs
sponsored by the western world and the free market economy, poverty and other
social injustices have continued to bite deeply into society of southern Africa.
The plenary was focused on the ways in which the church could be involved in
solving some of these economic problems.
President Robert Gabriel Mugabe of Zimbabwe opened the assembly with a call
to the church to defend the landless poor. The president of Zimbabwe Catholic
Bishops Conference Rt. Rev. Alexio Muchabaiwa stressed the importance of tolerance
saying that it is only tolerance and hope that will enable society to create
an atmosphere which will help to accommodate varied ideas without violence and
therefore respect the dignity of every human being.
In the course of the Assembly the following were elected to form the new Executive
or Standing Committee: President is Rt. Rev. Louis Ndlovu OSM, Diocese of Manzini,
Swaziland, Vice- President Most Rev. Damião Franklin, Archbishop of Luanda,
Angola and Secretary General: Rt. Rev. Adriano Langa, OFM Auxiliary Bishop of
Maputo. Rt. Rev. Paul Khoarai, Bishop of Leribe, Lesotho was also appointed
representative of IMBISA Standing Committee to the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences
of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Each of the six Episcopal Conferences is represented
on the standing committee by a member. Present also were representatives of
the two donor organizations namely MISSIO Aachen and Munich who renewed their
commitment to support the church in the region.
SECAM
BICAM HOLDS PLENARY
The Catholic Biblical Center for Africa and Madagascar (BICAM)
ended its third plenary meeting with a recommendation to the World Catholic
Biblical Federation to give an opportunity to Africa and Madagascar to host
the 2008 Plenary Assembly. The August 11th-17th, 2001, meeting was organized
by the Biblical Center and it attracted members from all over Africa to evaluate
pastoral activities and to deliberate on the extent to which the word of God
has been a blessing to the nations. Although all the ten regions of the Symposium
of Episcopal Conferences for Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) were invited only
a number turned up from each of the four regions of Association des Conférences
Episcopales de la Region d'Afrique Centrale (ACERAC), Association of Member
Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), Interregional Meeting of the
Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) and Association of Episcopal Conferences
of Anglophone West Africa (AECAWA).
The plenary under the theme "Word of God-a Blessing for the Nations",
also recommended that SECAM appoints a director for the Biblical Center located
at Karen, Nairobi. The new Director is to find ways and means to revamp the
center for promoting biblical pastoral ministry in the region. Sr. Euphrazia
Simati TM is presently coordinating the activities at the center.
Asked to give his view at the closing of the meeting the Secretary General of
SECAM, Fr. Peter Lwaminda, said the meeting was a success. It laid down its
recommendations to be presented at the World Catholic Biblical Federation in
Beirut, Lebanon from September 3rd to 12th, 2002, and made a number of resolutions
and recommendations for SECAM. In Beirut the sub region of Africa will meet
the other members of the federation; Europe, Latin America and Asia.
Founded with the purpose of making the Word of God known, loved and lived in
Africa through coordinating biblical apostolate in accordance with Dei Verbum
No 22, BICAM has had a number of setbacks since its inception. Prominent among
them has been lack of support from regional offices. A number of them have locally
bound constraints that do not allow them to freely promote biblical apostolate.
The meeting, which took place at Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK)
Center, Nairobi attracted twenty-one participants among whom was Clare Maria
Diaz Secretary General of the Catholic Biblical Federation from the headquarters
in Stuttgart, Germany. The AMECEA Secretary General, Fr. Peter Mulomole, attended.