SECAM

FOUNDED in July 1969 to preserve, foster and promote communion, joint action and collaboration among all Episcopal Conferences of Africa and its Islands.

MAURITIUS: Bishop Maurice Piat condemns Corruption in the Country

The Bishop of Port Louis in Mauritius, the Rt. Rev. Maurice Piat, has condemned corruption in the country saying it can be called a disservice to peace. Speaking from Port Prince at the weekend about the year 2011 and his expectations of 2012, he thanked the clergy, the religious and the laity in the diocese for their service to the church. He noted that corruption was becoming a problem to the country. He explained that everyone needs peace in families, in places of work and throughout the country, but the real peace makers are those who work for the common good and the enemies of peace are those who seek to enrich themselves by helping themselves of what belongs to the nation. He called upon the faithful to work for the good of the church and of the country and to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS and in the rehabilitation of drug addicts. He expressed concern about the indifference of youth to the faith. Referring to recent statistics, he said 80% of the youth who receive the first Holy Communion and the sacrament of Confirmation cease to practice the faith soon after. He called upon the people engaged in evangelisation, priests, religious, catechists and teachers to look at the problem seriously and work together to find out the causes and the appropriate solutions. He noted also that the country needs to put more efforts in environmental protection. He called upon the citizens to adopt a style of life that protects the environment from degradation.

DRCONGO: The Diocese of Goma Celebrates 100 Years of Evangelisation

A three-day Conference to mark 100 years of the evangelisation of Goma Catholic diocese in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was held last week in the town of Goma. Among other issues the participants discussed reconciliation, consecrated life, inter-religious dialogue and sustainable development. Goma has been the scene of civil conflict since the 1990s. In 1994 it accommodated millions of Rwandans who fled after the genocide. The conference was opened by Fr. Bernard Ugeux, a member of the Missionaries of Africa and a professor of Theology at the University of Toulouse in France. He said reconciliation was important because many people were hurt by the wars that have taken place in the area. Besides, he noted, reconciliation heals the heart and unites the people. Responding to those who insist on justice only, he said justice will not yield good fruits if not accompanied by reconciliation. The diocese of Goma was created in 1959 by Pope John the 23rd. Its current Bishop is the Rt. Rev. Theophile Kaboy Ruboneka. It has about two million inhabitants, 40% of whom are catholic.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Democratic Republic of Congo held an emergency meeting last week to discuss the post-election situation. Last month the country’s electoral commission declared President Joseph Kabila winner of the presidential election held in November. The results were disputed by the opposition led by Etienne Tshisekedi. Violence erupted in different parts of the country. Mr. Kabila was sworn in on December 20th. Tshisekedi was sworn in also as president three days later by his supporters. In the document circulated to catholic parishes after the bishop’s meeting, the church leaders called for an end to violence and for dialogue between the political groupings in the country. They also called for a review of the results of the election, proposing that it should be carried out in a specified time limit by an international commission approved by the government and the opposition. They proposed also that, for the good of the country, president Kabila could share power with Mr. Tshisekedi. The bishops called upon Catholics to play an active role in promoting peace and not to take part in violent activities.

16th Plenary Assembly of SECAM

The next Plenary Assembly will take place in Kinshasa, DRC in 2013.

CONTACTS:

Rev. Fr. Joe Komakoma
Tel: +233 21 778867, 778868
Fax: +233 21 772548
E-mail: jkomakoma@yahoo.com  or secamsec@yahoo.com

 

Rev Fr. Francois-Xavier DAMIBA,Secretary General
P.O. Box 9156 Airport, ACCRA, Ghana
Tel: +233 21 778867, 778868
Fax: +233 21 772548
E-mail: SECAMSECR@internetghana.com,
secampr@africaonline.com.gh, or fxdamiba@yahoo.com
Resdience: 4 Senci Street. Airport, Accra, Ghana

SECAM official site
www.sceam-secam.org

Departments:
Catholic Biblical Centre
P.O. Box 24215, Karen, Nairobi–Kenya.
bicam@bicam-cebam.org.

Social Communications
Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)
4, Senchi Street, Airport residential Area
P.O. Box KA 9156Accra, GHANA
Fax 00 233 21 772548
E-Mail: secaminfo@yahoo.com secamcom@hotmail.com or secamsec@4u.com.gh
Web Site: SCEAM-SECAM.ORG

Theological Committee
BP 72, Boma, Zaire.

Laity Coordination Board
P.O. Box 9156, Airport, Accra, Ghana.

Catholic Education
BP 276, Kinshasa, Zaire.

Regional Episcopal Conferences, Members of SECAM

Association of Episcopal Conference of Central Africa.
BP 20511, Kinshasa XV, Zaire, DRC, ACEAC

Association of Episcopal Conference of Central Africa Region. BP. 1963. Yaounde, Cameroon, Congo, C. Africa, Chad, Garbon, Equ. G, ACERAC

Episcopal Conference of English West Africa,
P.O. Box 10-0502. Monrovia 10, Liberia, AECAWA.
(Temp. Bishop’s House P.O. Box 99, Kumasi, Ghana).

Episcopal Conference of Egypt. AHCE BP. 69.
11712 Palais de Koubbeh, Cairo Egypt.

Episcopal Conference of East Africa, AMECEA,
P.O. Box 21191, Nairobi, Kenya.

Episcopal Conference of French West Africa, CERAO,
06 BP. 470 CIDEX 1. Abidjan 06. Cote d’Ivoire.

Episcopal Conference of South Africa, (IMBISA). Imbisa Centre, P O Box EH 99. Emerald Hill, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Tel: 336775,336908: Fax: 336909.

Episcopal Conference of North Africa, CERNA,
13 Rue Khelifa Boukhalfa, 16000 Alger. Gare. Algeria.

Episcopal Conference Madagascar. BP. 667,
Antananarivo 101, Madagascar