We’re “called to collaborate in redeeming the world”: Carmelite Archbishop to Catholic Nuns in Eastern, Central Africa

“You are chosen, like the Apostles, to be with Him (Jesus Christ). The primary purpose of your calling is to be with Jesus,” Archbishop Tambala said, and emphasized, “There is no Consecrated Life without Christ.”

ACWECA has partnered with the Association of Women Religious Institutes of Malawi (AWRIM), the host Conference, in organizing the August 18-24 Plenary Assembly and Golden Jubilee celebrations under the theme, “Transformative holistic formation for authentic living towards a deeper evangelization in the ACWECA Region and beyond.”

Credit: Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM)

In a press briefing that was convened at Luntha Television premises in Malawi on June 25 ahead of the August 18-24 celebrations,  the President of ACWECA, Sr. Rosalia Sakayombo, said the regional entity supports national member Conferences to realize “deeper evangelization”.

“Our Mission is to help the Conferences of Sisters in the respective countries to be able to promote the spirit of collaboration and sharing of spiritual, human, and economic resources among member conferences to enhance the religious formation and strengthen the leadership capacity of the Sisters for deeper evangelization in the region,” Sr. Rosalia said about the Kenya-based regional association of women Religious.

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The Zambian-born Superior General of the Religious Sisters of the Holy Spirit (RSHS) added,  “This year’s plenary of ACWECA is special because it marks the 50th anniversary since the foundation of the Association.”

Credit: Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM)

Earlier, in August 2023, the leadership of ACWECA unveiled the theme for their 2024 Plenary Assembly, which they said would seek to strengthen the formation of Catholic Nuns in the region.

Meanwhile, in his August 19 address, the first day of the double celebrations, Archbishop Tambala cautioned Consecrated persons against the temptation to overlook the voice of the Lord amid multiple “conflicting and confusing voices”.

“Which voices are we listening to?” he posed, and continued, “In a world saturated with conflicting and confusing voices, our attitude should mirror that of Mary at Cana, who advised the apostles to do whatever Jesus tells them.”

Credit: Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM)

The OCD member emphasized the need to consider Consecrated Life as a divine endeavour, and not a human project.

“We must avoid showiness at all costs. Jesus himself refused to be a spectacle; time and again, he withdrew when they sought to make him king”, the Local Ordinary of Lilongwe Archdiocese since November 2021 said.

He also cautioned against complacency, and added, “We must be ready to work and venture into even the most remote and challenging places for the sake of Christ.”

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