Catholic Bishops in Southern Africa Promote Solidarity Through…

Catholic Bishops from Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have urged their communities to engage actively in forming the Association of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe (ACBC-MAZAZI). The Bishops emphasize the importance of solidarity and collaboration towards common pastoral goals, as they seek to establish this new regional forum, headquartered in Lusaka, to address shared challenges and improve evangelization efforts.

Catholic Bishops from Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have called upon their respective communities to engage proactively in efforts that foster solidarity within their proposed regional forum, the Association of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe (ACBC-MAZAZI). In a collective statement issued on December 17, the Bishops reflected on meetings dating back to February 2020 that laid the foundation for establishing this independent association aimed at enhancing the effective proclamation of the Gospel in the sub-region.

The Bishops highlighted the importance of collaboration, recognizing that despite geographical proximity, the challenges faced by their communities unify them in a common journey of faith. They reaffirmed their commitment to exploring pastoral effectiveness, emphasizing that their “shared history” necessitates coming together for the good of those they serve.

A commitment to gradual implementation was expressed, as the Bishops acknowledged the complexities involved in formalizing the association over time. They encouraged active involvement from their congregations in various initiatives, urging them to support ongoing efforts to build solidarity. The developmental process for the sub-region, while gradual, is expected to yield significant long-term goals following the establishment of foundational short-term objectives.

During their previous assembly held from July 15-19, the issue of creating ACBC-MAZAZI was resolved upon, noting that this initiative would be presented to regional organizations, AMECEA and IMBISA, for further integration and support. The leadership further determined that Lusaka would serve as the headquarters for the newly formed association and welcomed the potential inclusion of additional members outside the sub-region as associates.

In their message, the Bishops affirmed their commitment to equipping the faithful with updates regarding the development of the initiative. They urged their communities to recognize the importance of this new structure in the service of evangelization, seeking their prayers and support to ensure the successful realization of the sub-region.

The call for solidarity among the Catholic Bishops of Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe stems from a historical context of collaborative efforts to unify the Church’s voice and mission in Southern Africa. The discussions began in early 2020 with an inaugural consultative meeting, leading to a series of assemblies aimed at establishing a cohesive framework for the Episcopal Conferences in the three nations. This regional partnership, termed ACBC-MAZAZI, is intended to enhance pastoral initiatives and streamline efforts to address common challenges effectively.

In conclusion, the Bishops of Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are moving forward with plans to establish an independent regional forum dedicated to enhancing cooperation and solidarity. Their reflections from past meetings emphasize a commitment to gradual progress while urging active participation from the faithful to support this initiative. As they aim to formalize ACBC-MAZAZI, the Bishops remain dedicated to nurturing a collaborative spirit, ultimately aiming for heightened evangelization efforts in the sub-region.

Original Source: www.aciafrica.org