Kampala (Fides)- Uganda will host the next Plenary Assembly of AMECEAthe Association of Bishops’ Conferences of East Africa . According to CISA Catholic news agency in Nairobi Kenya, the Ugandan Bishops are preparing to host the 15th MECEA meeting in the capital Kampala.
The Secretary of AMECEA Social Communications Office, Fr. Moses Hamungole, told CISA the Assembly will take place from 1 - 11 June 2005 at Ggaba Seminary in Kampala and the Bishops will reflect on the theme “Meeting the challenges of HIV/AIDS in the AMECEA region”.
The theme was chosen during the last plenary held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, when the Bishops of the region agreed it was necessary to increase the Church’s efforts to prevent the spread of virus HIV virus and to assist people with AIDS.
“We are very worried about the AIDS pandemic in our region” the Bishops said on that occasion -“and we are committed to showing solidarity towards HIV+ persons and those with AIDS. We call on pastoral to increase efforts to inform people of the problem. We also ask them to offer all round care for the patients and for their families”.
Preparation for the 15th General Assembly in 2005 has already started at the regional and national level.
AMECEA was formed in 1961 and it brings together the Catholic Bishops of Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. AMECEA meets for a plenary every three years and since 1961 the bishops have met 14 times. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 27/9/2004 righe 25 parole 271)