AMECEA NEWS 24/2004
ERITREA
THE NEW APOSTOLIC NUNCIO
We would like to send our apologies to our readers for reporting in our AMECEA News 23 of 1st March that the New Apostolic Nuncio to Eritrea is His Excellency Ramiro Moliner Ingles. However, the Apostolic Nuncio to Eritrea is His Excellency Dominique Mbertti who is also the Apostolic Nuncio to Sudan. He resides in Khartoum, Sudan.
KENYA
"THAT THEY MAY BE ONE"
The Catholic Bishops of Kenya met for a week-long ordinary Plenary Assembly in St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Nairobi, Kenya April 20-23, 2004. At the end of the plenary they released a press statement with the theme: "That they May be One" (Jn. 17:21).
They commended the various positives moves by the government to improve the
lives of the Kenyans and the economic growth. According to the Bishops, the
Catholic Church strongly feel that to sustain moves made in democracy and democratic
values, it is very important that Kenyans are constantly vigilant. Though more
improvements are needed, the bishops highlighted the following moves; streamlining
of the transport industry, repossession of public land, relations with donors,
fighting corruption, free primary education and salary increments for civil
servants.
However, the Bishops too pointed out the challenges aireds by Kenyans in the
recent past, and which called for urgent intervention. Key among them is unity
within the ruling coalition, the apparent lack of it which has been a matter
of concern to many. While recognizing that building a coalition is easier than
maintaining one, the bishops joined a good cross section of Kenyans who have
lately been urging for the prevalence of harmony in the 15-month old coalition.
The other issue is insecurity, which again, has been bothering many Kenyans.
Describing the state of insecurity as a wound that never seems to heal, the
bishops lamented that Kenyans "from the rich to the poor are suffering
under the hands of gun-wielding and trigger-happy gangs".
The Bishops spoke for many when they stated that "our leaders are gradually
losing touch with those they are supposed to serve" and that while Kenyans
are yearning for development the leaders are still in the election mood. For
a government elected by such an overwhelming majority, to lose touch with the
aspirations of the people is a great betrayal. The leaders must think again
and listen to the voices of the people. By and large the clergymen have articulated
that voice.
In conclusion, the Bishops said, "... during the Easter Season, we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. This gives us hope that although we are different people, we should stand united as Kenyans. Like it is often said, our unity lies in our diversity. "As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body" (1Cor: 12:12); we should not despair in the face of difficulties but forge ahead to rebuild our nation. It is our prayer that Kenyans of all walks of life; leaders and the ordinary Mwananchi move as one. We do this believing in the solemn promise of Christ that "I will be with you& till the end of time" (Mat 28:19-20)."
38TH WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY
The Kenya Episcopal Conference will mark the 38th World Communications Day
on Sunday May 23, 2004 at the Holy Family Minor Basilica. The theme is "The
Media and the Family: A risk and a richness", and it was chosen by Holy
Father, Pope John Paul II.
The Holy Mass will start at 11.30a.m. and will be presided over by Rt. Rev.
David Kamau, the Auxiliary Bishop of Nairobi Archdiocese and the Chairman Communications
Commission of Kenya Episcopal Conference (KEC). The guest of honour at the celebration
is Hon Raphael Tuju who is the Minister for Tourism and Information. He will
deliver a speech at the main hall after Mass. Media houses both Church and secular
are invited.
SUDAN
NEW PRESS OFFICER APPOINTED IN SCBC
The Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference (SCBC) has appointed Mr. Dominic Lang as a Press Officer. He will also be the acting National Communications Secretary a post which fell vacant after Rev. Fr. Paul Celestino contract expired in 2001. The news of his appointment were received with much relieve in the AMECEA Social Communications department.
TANZANIA
ARCHBISHOP LEBULU CELEBRATES EPISCOPATE SILVER JUBILEE
The Most Rev. Josaphat Louis Lebulu, the Archbishop of Arusha Archdiocese,
will celebrate his Episcopate Silver Jubilee on May 23, 2004. The celebration
will take place at 10:00 am in Epiphany Church, Burka parish, Arusha.
Archbishop Lebulu was born on June 13, 1942 at Kisangara-Juu in the Diocese
of Same. He was ordained priest on December 11, 1968. On May 24, 1979, he was
consecrated Bishop of Same. He has served as an Apostolic Administrator of the
then Arusha Diocese since August 20, 1997 till his appointment as its Bishop
on December 9, 1998. He was installed as a Bishop of the Diocese on January
31, 1999. On March 16, 1999, His Holiness Pope John Paul II appointed him as
the first Metropolitan Archbishop.
He has served among others as the Chairman of Tanzania Episcopal Conference
1984-1994 and AMECEA Chairman and Chancellor of the Catholic University of Eastern
Africa (CUEA) from 1995 - 2002.
AMECEA join other Christians to congratulate his Grace on this occasion!
CARDINAL PENGO'S MOTHER DIES
The Mother of His Eminence Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, Dar es Salaam Archdiocese has died. Mama Tanzui died on May 8, 2004 at Mbeya Hospital, Tanzania. She was 88 years old. She was buried on Monday May 10, 2004 in her home in Sumbawanga. A memorial Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph's Cathedral Dar es Salaam on Tuesday May 11, 2004.
UGANDA
A CONCERN FOR PEACE, UNITY AND HARMONY IN UGANDA
The Catholic Bishops of Uganda released an Easter Message with the theme "A
concern for peace, unity and harmony in Uganda". The Bishops are very disheartened
and noted with pain that the brothers and sisters in the northern and eastern
part of the country still groan under the suffering of the ravages of armed
conflict and violence and therefore cannot enjoy the peace and unity that Easter
blessings brings. Though throughout the Lent Season the liturgy was calling
the faithful to radical conversion and trust in God's mercy, armed conflict
and corruption have over the years threatened this peace.
The Bishops made the following appeals to solve the armed conflicts:
1. We renew our loud and most concerned appeal to the President, his entire Executive, the Parliament and the military leaders of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) to do all that is possible to give the peaceful negotiations a chance.
2. Government should never give up the search for peaceful solutions. It should search for new ways, new strategies, meet more peace supporters in the community, seek for more assistance from other countries and International Organizations and avoid giving the impression to the rebels and the people of Uganda that it has totally given up the peaceful option
3. Both Government and Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) to be sincerely and honestly committed to peaceful negotiations and to agree on a complete ceasefire.
4. Government to immediately provide the necessary moral and Legal framework within which the humanitarian crisis in some parts of Northern and Eastern Uganda should be handled through a combined effort of Government and the international community.
5. Government should desist from recruiting and arming local militias in its military pursuit to end the war but instead use the reserve force and the UPDF to protect civilians in the camps.
6. Government should desist from subjecting people surrendering and those captured to undue treason charges as this contradicts the existing Amnesty provisions.
7. All the people in the affected regions of the North and East especially the Districts of Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Lira, Apac, and Soroti: to unite and form a very strong Movement of People for Peace to put pressure on both sides to negotiate.
8. Government should desist from any practices that might act as recipe for further violence in the country: reference is made to the lifting of the constitutional presidential term limit which within a short time has created untold tension, sometimes violence in some parts of the country.
9. The Uganda Joint Christian Council and other religious umbrellas and networks to undertake this mission of peace and peace-making urgently and quickly.
10. Civil Society Organizations including religious institutions should embark on and commit themselves to a process of national reconciliation.
However, the Bishops mentioned some positive noticeable trends in the political,
social and economic spheres. Among them is the recent opening of political space
by the Movement Government and current dialogue between the opposition parties
and the Government is positive signs that the current political transition is
taking the right course. The concluded Constitutional Review Process and the
recommendations therein indicates that a smooth transition is very much in view
and the Bishops called upon Government and all citizens to seriously adhere
to the constitutional and moral principles of good governance.
In conclusion the Bishops made the following recommendations praying the peace and joy of Easter will fill Uganda with new life that will bear much fruit and enable all people of Uganda and in all part of Uganda to live in permanent Peace, Unity and Harmony:
1. We should fully embrace a culture of peace, peaceful resolution of conflicts, tolerance, genuine forgiveness and reconciliation and a culture of constitutionalism. This is the key to consolidating unity, peace and harmony in the country, and the best means to end the armed conflicts in the Northern and Eastern parts of the country and to prevent deadly conflicts in the future.
2. We must all build peace in our hearts as individuals; we must build peace in our families and communities and then we shall be able to build peace in our nation. This is the big call we want to make to all Ugandans.
3. We need to build strong institutions for peace in the country and in every community, using fully both the good traditional means and the modern ones and particularly the Christian means of peace making, forgiveness and reconciliation.
4. Both church and state should set up coherent peace strategies to address conflicts in the country.
5. There should be a good national agenda for inculcating a strong and genuine sense of patriotism, unity in diversity and respect for legitimate differences.
6. There should be a national commitment to peace education aimed at demilitarizing the minds of the people, replacing a language of violence with a language of peace, eliminating acts of violence and replacing them with acts of peace, thus building a permanent culture of peace among all people.
7. Government should develop a sincere will to fight corruption and violation of human rights at all levels of society by strengthening the anticorruption institutions such as the Inspectorate of Government, the Uganda Human Rights Commission, Directorate of Ethics and Integrity, together with the judiciary.
ZAMBIA
JESUITS CENTRE FOR THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS CELEBRATES 15 YEARS
The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), a project of the Zambia-Malawi Province of the Society of Jesus celebrated its 15th Anniversary.
It was set up to assist Jesuits in Zambia to reflect theologically and systematically
on the Zambian reality through study of existing material and original research
and to initiate projects. Its vision statement is: a society where faith promotes
justice for all in all spheres of life, especially for the poor. It had six
goals which included: to assist Jesuits to animate theological reflection with
their own Christian communities and to reflect on the roots of structural expression
of injustices in order to discover ways of overcoming them; to prepare a Bulletin
with relevant information on the promotion of justice in various province apostolates;
to conduct workshops; to act as a resource center for relevant materials; and
to engage in relevant research. This mandate was incorporated in the Province
Plan of 1989.
Recently, there was consideration to change the name to Jesuit Center for Faith and Justice. The reasons were that this name would describe fully what the center is about and that the existing name would be taken as part of similar Jesuits centers around the world which bear the same name. But over the years JCTR has become a household name in Zambia where almost everyone can identify him/herself with it. However since center has a faith inspired reading of the signs of the times, especially from the perspective of the poor and interpreting appropriate and effective social justice responses the name was retained.
AMECEA
NATIONAL SECRETARIES GENERAL MEET
The national Secretaries General of the AMECEA countries are meeting in Nairobi
May 17-18, 2004. Others present in this meeting are Dr. Gilbert of Ghana Catholic
Secretariat, Bro. Daniele Giusti of Uganda Medical Bureau, Mr. Ronald Kamara
of Uganda Catholic Secretariat HIV/AIDS Focal Point and Fr. John Wynand Katende
the Uganda national Coordinator of the AMECEA Plenary 2005. AMECEA Secretariat
Staff are also present.
The purpose of this meeting is to prepare for the forthcoming 15th AMECEA Plenary
Assembly whose theme is "Responding to the Challenges of HIV/AIDS Within
the AMECEA Region", and will held in Kampala, Uganda in 2005.
AMECEA SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS HELD RE-UNION
The AMECEA Social Communications department held a 2-day meeting on March 13-14
2004 for the former AMECEA Communications Secretaries. Among those who attended
were Rt. Rev. Joseph Mukwaya, Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese in Uganda and
AMECEA Social Communications Secretary 1973 - 1979, Fr. Joseph Healey, MM, the
pioneer of the department 1968-1979, Sr. Florence Anaso 1994 - 2001 with a break
of one year June 1999 to June 2000, Fr. Moses Hamungole November 2002 to date
and Miss Joyce Anne Kagwa Administrative Secretary 1997 to date. The occasion
was also graced with the presence of Sr. Margaret Nakabonye of Kitinda-Mityana
Diocese.
The department was established in 1968 with the aim of fostering training of
the catholic in fields of social communications in the AMECEA region. It has
remained an organ of liaison and collaboration between the constituent conferences
specially through the national department of Social Communications in the AMECEA
countries.
During the thanksgiving Mass, the late Sr. Silvana Geisen, PB was remembered.
She was the first administrative secretary. She died in 2002.
The members present observed that the department has continued to develop progressively,
the initial priority to train personnel for the department has been embraced
by almost all those who have headed the department and the annual communications
meeting for the national secretaries has continued to be a bond both in collaboration
and services of the national conferences.
At the end of the meeting the following recommendations were made:
· Encourage the national offices to train it personnel so that the offices
are run by professionals.
· To revive AMECEA Documentation Service (ADS) as an electronic documentation.
· To organize a meeting/workshop for bishops who could be oriented on
how to deal with the press.
NEPAD MEETING
The Secretaries General of the Bishops' Conferences of Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) and Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) met in Cape Town, South Africa from March 28 - April 1, 2004. At the end of their meeting it emerged that the role of the Church in the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) should be felt. NEPAD's vision for the future of Africa with the potential to promote integral development, to reduce poverty and inequality, to build sustainable peace and good governance, to transform the relationship between Africa and the "developed" nations of the world into a partnership rather than a relationship of domination and dependence.
During the discussion, the conference studied the Social Teaching of the Church
and the values it could bring to NEPAD. The possibility to see NEPAD as an instrument
for living out the command to love the neighbour.
The delegates also felt the need to make NEPAD known, to bring its vision and
plans to the grassroots in the dioceses and parishes, to engage with the governments
and with NEPAD structures in the countries in cooperation with other Christian
churches and other faith communities. Dialogue with the youth and with Catholics
who are engaged in politics and other forms of public service was felt to be
of importance to realize this.