The main organizing committee for the conference of the Association of Member Episcopal Conference in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) which is under the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) says it is overwhelmed with the support so far rendered by Christians and other well wishers ahead of the plenary which will take place in Malawi from July 16 to 26 this year.
Chairperson for the AMECEA main organizing committee, Peter Kulemeka said this last Friday during the AMECEA Valentines Ball which was held at the Presidents Hotel in Lilongwe.
Kulemeka commended the AMECEA Publicity and Fundraising Sub-Committees chaired by Saulos Chilima and Dr. Mary Shaba respectively for organizing a colorful event which brought together lovers who took time to cerebrate Valentine’s day.
“As you saw for yourself the patronage was so impressive and I would like to thank the committee which was assigned to under-take the activities in preparation to this great event. It has been colorful, meaning that the committee prepared well. I would also like to thank those that patronized the event, the Catholics and other well-wishers. I thank them all for the support that they have rendered to us, “said Kulemeka.
Also available at the event were the Very Reverend Monsignor Hubertus Matheus Maria Van Megen,Malawi’s Charge’ D’Affairs to Vatican Embassy,the Secretary General for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi,Father George Buleya and his Deputy,Father Emmanuel Chimombo among others.
According to Kulemeka, the organizing committee is targeting to raise at least $700,000 (Seven Hundred Thousand USD) in redness to the July2014 AMECEA conference.
He then challenged Christians especially Catholics in the country to come fourth and support the AMECEA plenary through their financial and material support.
For his part, Monsignor Van Megen who was the Guest of Honor at the Valentines Ball function commended Christians and other well-wishers across the country for patronizing the function.
He said the AMECEA conference is crucial to the Catholic Church and the member nations at large.
“The AMECEA conference has eight member countries, and with this conference unity of the Church is made manifest. The Church in these countries has many things in common, which include culture and socio-economic and political challenges, hence the need for a common approach,” said Monsignor Van Megen.
Monsignor Van Megen said the AMECEA conference has helped the establishment of Catholic Universities in the region, which include the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Kenya and Malawi’s Catholic University in Chiradzulu among others.
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) is also a product of the AMECEA conference.
Malawi will host the conference for the third time following similar conferences in 1979 that was held at St. Peter Major Seminary in Zomba and another one in 1995 at St. John Major Seminary in Mangochi.
The July 2014 conference is expected to bring together at least 300 delegates, where half of them will be Cardinals and Bishops.
Apart from the Valentines Ball activity, the AMECEA organizing committee last year had similar activities including Dinner and Dance at Bingu International Conference Centre,Gospel Music Bash at Lilongwe Golf Club among others.
The Committee has since lined up other activities in the near future like the renewal of Marriage vows, and possibly a Football bonanza.
The AMECEA Valentines Ball was spiced up with the performance of Mibawa Band who performed a number of copy right songs.