Newly elected Chairperson of
AMECEA calls for the re-evangelization of Africa
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| 19th Plenary MAECEA Assembly Ethiopia. |
As the 19th Plenary Assembly of AMECEA closes, Bishop
Charles Kasonde, the newly elected Chairperson, calls for the re-evangelisation
of Africa as the antidote to the repetition of the past.
By Fr Paul Samasumo
Newly elected AMECEA Chairperson Bishop Charles Kasonde of
Solwezi Diocese in Zambia has called for the re-evangelisation of Africa.
Speaking exclusively to Vatican News, Bishop Kasonde said the just concluded
19th Plenary Assembly of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in
Eastern Africa reaffirmed the need for more profound evangelisation in Africa.
Paul Samasumo brings more details from Addis Ababa.
Bishops confront paradox
During the week-long Plenary Assembly, the Bishops of the
AMECEA region were at a loss about the apparent paradox in most African
societies that profess themselves to be Christian. On the one hand, the African
continent is ravaged by endemic ethnic conflicts, yet Sunday Mass attendance in
most African countries is at an all-time high.
Bishop Kasonde, newly elected AMECEA Chairperson, says that
although Churches are packed, there is still work to do regarding “faith
issues”. He sees re-evangelization as an antidote to doing the same things that
have been done in the past.
The re-evangelization they are talking about is to look
back and see where we are and count the cost of what we are doing so that we
improve consistently on those upheavals—things that degenerate our lives,
things that take us back.
Final message
Delivering the Final AMECEA Message and Communique before the
Catholic Faithful of Addis Ababa, in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, Bishop Charles Kasonde spoke of the AMECEA Bishops’
determination to work towards the search for solutions to some of Africa’s
thorny problems. Some of these thorny issues include migration and refugees;
climate change; challenges to peace and growing insecurity on the continent as
well as the need and the urgency and of giving hope to many of Africa’s
disillusioned young people.
Regarding family and marriage and young people Bishop
Kasonde said:
We are cognizant of the fact that the composition of the
family as the smallest unit of the Church and society is very important.
Another issue that we tackled is that of young people. We are caught up as
Africans. And I think because of political instabilities a number of our people
are leaving their homes looking for a better environment where they can live as
a family and also treasure themselves.
As the Bishops return to their homes and dioceses, they have
formed committees and working groups to follow-up on the resolutions.
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