Catholic Bishops in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe Urge “active participation” to Foster Solidarity in three-nation Sub-Region

They also reiterate their previous collective message following their July 15-19 Sub-Region Conference assembly at Sigelele Hotel in Salima, Central Malawi on adopting “the principle of gradualism”. 

The Catholic Bishops of Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe say, “The formalization of the Sub-Region is something that will take time. However, efforts are already being made to identify areas of collaboration within the Sub-Region.”

“We therefore appeal to all of you within the three Episcopal Conferences to support the collaborative efforts that are being made in the Sub-Region,” they further say in the December 17 statement, and emphasize, “Your active participation in different fora that seek to promote pastoral initiatives, collaboration and form up our solidarity within the Sub-Region will be mostly welcome.”

In subsequent meetings after the inaugural one of February 2020, ECM, ZCCB, and ZCBC members say, “we have realized that the three Conferences can collaborate better and become more effective if we came together as one body.”

“It is this coming together that speaks of a ‘new reality’ we want to introduce to you. We have, as Conferences committed ourselves to the formation of a Sub-Region of Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe,” they say.

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Catholic Bishops in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe Urge “active participation” to Foster Solidarity in three-nation Sub-Region

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In their July 19 communique, Catholic Bishops in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe resolved to establish ACBC-MAZAZI in what they described as a “declaration of intent”.

“There are no defined timeframes as to when the new Region will be fully fledged,” they said. 

Saying that they were adopting “the principle of gradualism”, the Catholic Church leaders added, “There will be short-term goals that will form the bedrock upon which at the opportune time long-term goals will be achieved.”

While ECM and ZCCB are member conferences of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA), ZCBC is part of the Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA).

The July 15-19 assembly resolved that the leadership of the three conferences present ACBC-MAZAZI initiative to their respective regional bodies namely IMBISA and AMECEA.

These assemblies have continued the objective of the inaugural February 2020 meeting, which is to “provide a platform for Bishops to come together, fostering unity among different regions and promoting collaboration on common issues.”

Besides settling on ACBC-MAZAZI as the name of the regional forum to be established, ECM, ZCCB, and ZCBC members have resolved to have Zambia’s capital city, Lusaka, as the headquarters of the association.

They have also resolved “to incorporate other members outside the Sub-Region as Associates when requested” and that “critical and technical issues suggested in the presentation should be implemented when the Sub-Region is fully operational.”

In their December 17 collective statement, ECM, ZCCB, and ZCBC members pledge to keep the faithful updated as the Sub-Region takes shape and call for spiritual solidarity in the realization of the initiative. 

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“It is our hope as your shepherds that as we commend the Sub-Region to you, you will find it a necessary structure at the service of evangelization. Like all Church institutions, its development will be a process, but one that needs your support. We entrust the Sub-Region to your care, support, and prayers,” the Catholic Church leaders say.

They add, “Having introduced to you the idea of the Sub-Region to you at this early stage, we hope you will identify yourselves with it and actively participate in all its activities that will be relayed to you through your national Conferences.”

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.