Over 13 Catholic bishops for 18th plenary assembly

Jul 21, 2014

Over thirteen Uganda Catholic bishops left for Malawi to attend the 18th Plenary Assembly Association of Member Episcopal Conference in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) which takes place in Lilongwe Malawi

By Juliet Lukwago

Over thirteen Uganda Catholic bishops left for Malawi to attend the 18th Plenary Assembly Association of Member Episcopal Conference in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) which takes place in Lilongwe Malawi.

According to a statement issued by Episcopal Conference communications secretary Fr Phillip Odii, the Episcopal Conference president Archbishop John Baptist Odama led the Ugandan delegation to the Conference that runs from July 16-26 at Bingu International Conference in Lilongwe.

Odii stated that the Bishops, left on Wednesday 16th morning for Malawi via Lusaka International airport, and the conference with Eucharistic celebrations at Civo stadium and afterwards speeches and messages from AMECEA collaborators under theme “New evangelization through true conversion and witness to Christian faith.”

The topics to be discussed include early missionary work of evangelization in terms of challenges faced and success stories; the context of evangelization today; new evangelization as an opportunity for better Christianity in Eastern Africa with focus on family life and Small Christian Communities and how houses of formation can contribute to the process of new evangelization.

Other topics will include the role of the institutions of learning in the work of evangelization, with particular focus on the role of chaplaincies and how new evangelization can help deepen liturgical celebrations, especially the Eucharist and how these celebrations can enhance conversion and the witness to Christian faith. It is a loaded package but one that has been carefully prepared and the Bishops are ready to study and deliberate on these matters.

Odii said that Uganda Episcopal Conference is represented by 26 delegates include Odama, Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, Archbishop Emmanuel Obbo, Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki, Bishop Joseph Franzelli, Bishop Santos Lino Wanok, Bishop Matthias Ssekamanya, Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa, Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa, Bishop Paul Ssemwogerere, Bishop Lambert Bainomugisha, Bishop Robert Muhiirwa, Bishop Giuseppe Filippi, Bishop Damiano Guzzetti.

Others are Msgr Silverio Twinomugisha, Vicar General of Kabale Diocese, Msgr John Baptist Kauta, SG of UEC, Msgr Francis Ndamira, Executive Secretary of Caritas Department, Fr Bruno Byomuhangi, Pastoral Coordinator of Kabale Diocese, Fr Dr Benedict Ssettuuma, Lecturer at Ggaba National Major Seminary, Fr Philip Odii, Executive Secretary of Social Communications, Professor Charles Olweny, Vice Chancellor of Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi, Professor Peter Kasenene, Mbarara Archdiocese, Aliba Emmanuel Kiiza, Executive Secretary of Justice and Peace Department, Joyce Zako, National Youth Coordinator, Mrs. Florence Kwesigabo, National Coordinator of the UEC-Trocaire Program on Domestic Violence, Cissy Kagimu, Principal Secretary of the Secretary General.

AMECEA is a regional grouping of Catholic bishops' conferences from eight countries namely: Malawi (1961), Kenya (1961), Sudan (1973), Tanzania (1961), Eritrea (1993), Zambia, Uganda (1961), and Ethiopia (1979). The Sudanese Episcopal Conference joined AMECEA in 1973, Ethiopia in 1979, Eritrea in 1993. The two affiliate members of Somalia and Djibouti joined in 1995 and 2002, respectively.

He said that AMECEA conferences are held every three years and it's the third time Malawi is hosting the conference. This year’s Plenary Assembly officially began on Wednesday 16th with the Bishops prayers in the morning and their reflections on the AMECEA Mission, Vision and objectives in the afternoon.

Odii said that the 18th Plenary Assembly of AMECEA has kicked off in Lilongwe Malawi with Spiritual recollection which was led by Most Rev Thaddeus Ruwa’ichi, the Archbishop of Mwanza, Tanzania.

He said that Apostolate and contributions of the family and Small Christian Communities to the work of evangelization will be among the crucial topics at the ongoing AMECEA Plenary in Lilongwe.

Odii said the delegates will review and reflect on Small Christian Communities to see how effective they are and what gaps, challenges they are facing and propose what can be done to make them effective means of evangelization.

“The Plenary will also do a survey of the early Missionaries work, activities and challenges they went through as well as the survey of the current situation and the environment in which the Church is carrying out its mission to the work of evangelization.” He said He also said that the Plenary will also look at the institutions of higher learning, formation houses, seminaries and other institutions and how they are contributing to the work of evangelization.

The Plenary will also be looking at the central part of the Catholic Faith, which is the Liturgy, the Eucharist and other Sacraments and their role in the work of evangelization.

He said that closing Mass, which again is open to all, will be, held on July 26 and on that day, the bishops will also communicate to the public the outcome/fruits of the plenary Assembly through its message to the Church in AMECEA Region.
 

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