Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala speaks on SECAM

Jul 25, 2019

“Our country is to benefit a lot as not many countries in Africa host SECAM conference. We are grateful to host over 400 bishops from all over Africa. We have also to thank Uganda Martyrs because I know this all comes because of them,” Cardinal Wamala said.

RELIGION
 
Cardinal Emmanuel  Wamala has said the  Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) continues to bring communion, pastoral, dialogue, collaboration and joint action in the areas of evangelization, research, and formation.
 
SECAM joined the Southern Africa Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) under the umbrella of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) for a solidarity visit to Uganda.
 
Pope Paul VI on the first-ever visit to Africa; officially launched SECAM in July 1969. SECAM was born out of the will of young African Bishops during the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). They wanted to speak with one voice. The establishment of SECAM is, therefore, the result of the Bishops resolution to build a continental structure in order to bring forth the African vision to the whole Church.
 
The Catholic Church in Uganda will host (SECAM) Executive Board in Kampala this week for its Golden Jubilee celebrations that will climax a later on Sunday, July 28 at Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo. 
 

 

 
Cardinal Wamala while in his office at Nsambya on Tuesday said the conference is aimed at uniting the Catholic Church in Africa as a family of God for effective pastoral ministry through collaboration, consultation, and joint pastoral action.  
 
"Our country is to benefit a lot as not many countries in Africa host SECAM conference. We are grateful to host over 400 bishops from all over Africa. We have also to thank Uganda Martyrs because I know this all comes because of them," Cardinal Wamala said.
 
He explained that the solidarity conference that was planned between SECAM, AMECEA, and SACBC comes after the World Council of Churches conference which was attended by bishops and laypeople from several countries last year.
 
"Although, I will not attend the conference, but I know many issues will be discussed."
 
Cardinal Wamala urged Ugandans to welcome the delegates, "welcoming people is one of our hobbies, many countries are talking about our love, warm welcoming, including the three popes who have visited our country Paul VI, John Paul II and recent one Pope Francis, let's do the same so that we keep our country on map."   
 
"For our country to host a big conference like this one is a sign of hope because we are one of the few countries who have hosted it so far," he said.
 
The prelate gave a clearer picture of the SECAM IN 1969 which fostered dialogue with other regions in Uganda. He recalls that in 1969 he was studying at Makerere University but he followed everything that took place at that time.
 
"As a Ugandan I am happy and proud to host such a conference in our country as the host of the function of the SECAM golden jubilee. We are part of the history of SECAM, since it was launched in 1969 by Pope Paul VI and now Golden Jubilee in our country," Cardinal said this with a smile.
 
 "Peace, stability, justice, reconciliation, unity, and development will be the major aspirations of the conference. The aspirations of the Church have not changed at all. We will continue praying together in unity in this Africa and world at large as Jesus prayed for his disciples to be one, in order to preserve this unity for peace and prosperity in church and our countries," he said.
 
Wamala recommends that SECAM invests in people especially the youth as they are the future. He said what they are reading in the media is appalling, adding that the youth who have grown, are going down a path that is difficult to turn away from like the path of violence.
 
 He said it is in the best interests of this country and also the African continent to seek ways of ensuring that the energy of young people is channeled for common good, which he said can only be achieved if the youth return to God.
 
The Cardinal said: "The objective of the Jubilee is to celebrate in thanking God for his wonders and marvelous deeds, the gift of baptism and of the Church, to ponder on the progress made so far in our roots in Christ."
 
However, chairman of Episcopal conference, Bishop Joseph Anthony Zziwa revealed the theme chosen for the Golden Jubilee celebrations is: "Church, Family of God in Africa, Celebrate your Jubilee."
 
"All are invited for the opening Mass at Lubaga on Sunday and celebrations of the Golden Jubilee at Namugongo on Sunday 28," Zziwa said.

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