AMECEA SG Impressed with Malawi’s 2014 Plenary Preparations

The Secretary General for the Continental grouping of Catholic Bishops from the Association Members Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), Father Ferdinand Lugonzo has expressed satistifaction over the way Malawi is preparing for the July, 2014 plenary assembly in Lilongwe.

Father Lugonzo said this when he attended a Preparatory meeting by the main organizing committee at Catholic Secretariat in Lilongwe,Malawi.

He expressed his satisfaction amidst a report presented the Committee’s Chairperson Peter Kulemeka.
According to Kulemeka,all the Committees entrusted with various roles are working hard to achieve their goal by the end of the day.

“The role of the committees which are comprised of the Clergy, religious men and women and the laity is simply to reflect on the anticipated requirements for the conference and the upkeep and well-being of the delegates. The scope of the committee’s roles include: identifying suitable conference facility, accommodation and transport for deligates, undertaking publicity activities, arranging for liturgical, security and protocol services and mobilizing resources. I therefore feel we are doing enough on all these scopes and we should be there, “said Kulemeka

Kulemeka told the meeting that the Plenary will be held at Bingu International Conference Centre, President Hotel in the City of Lilongwe.

He said the venue has been recommended as it is conveniently located in the centre of the City of Lilongwe and has the facilities required for the conference.

On Publicity activities, Kulemeka briefed the meeting that the committee responsible has prepared a Communications Strategy to guide them.

“Press Releases and a Press Briefing on the AMECEA plenary have been published and announced by media houses in Malawi. By now almost every Malawian and Catholic Christians in particular are aware of this great event coming next year,” he said

The other Committee that presented its reports was the Finance and Fundraising.

The Committee briefed the meeting that it estimates that the conference will cost about $400,000 and as a way of raising the funds, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi had asked Catholic Christians themselves to support the realization of these funds.

Already, a number of fundraising activities which includes; Dinner, Gospel Bash have taken place.
Meanwhile, Fr. Lugonzo was accompanied by the AMECEA Communications Secretary,Fr. Gilzantus Ngaga has challenged the Committee to remain focused for a success preparation ahead of the Plenary.

Malawi will host the 18th AMECEA plenary from 16th to 26th July .About 300 delegates from the members countries which includes the host Malawi,Eritrea,Ethiopia,Kenya,South Sudan,Sudan,Tanzania,Uganda and Zambia are estimated to attend the plenary .

The theme of the plenary is “New Evangelization through True Conversion and Witnessing to Christian Faith”.