By Sr. Michelle Njeri, OSF
Nairobi, Kenya
The 21st Plenary Assembly of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) officially opened in Nairobi with a renewed commitment to journeying with young people as active participants in the life and mission of the Church while promoting communion, hope, justice and good governance across the region.
The opening Eucharistic celebration brought together His Eminence Michael Cardinal Czerny, S.J., Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and representative of the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV; Rt. Rev. Charles Joseph Kasonde, Bishop of Solwezi, Zambia, and Chairman of AMECEA; Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and Archbishop of Kisumu; Archbishop Philip Anyolo, Archbishop of Nairobi; bishops from across the AMECEA region, clergy, religious men and women, youth delegates, development partners and lay faithful.
Welcoming delegates to the Assembly, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia warmly received participants from across Eastern Africa and expressed particular joy at the presence of young people from Kenya and the AMECEA member countries.
Affirming the Church’s confidence in the younger generation, he told them, “AMECEA loves you, believes in you, and recognizes your potential, your strength, and your love for the Church.” He encouraged the youth to remain active participants in the life and mission of the Church, becoming witnesses of hope and agents of transformation in society.
In his homily, Cardinal Michael Czerny reflected on the Gospel parables of the mustard seed, the wheat and the weeds, and the yeast, inviting the faithful to embrace hope even amid today’s challenges. Drawing from the teachings of Pope Leo XIV, he urged Christians to reject despair and recognize that God continues to bring forth new life through seemingly small acts of faith, love and service.
Using the image of the mustard seed, Cardinal Czerny reminded the faithful that even the smallest acts of love can grow into powerful signs of God’s Kingdom. He especially encouraged young people not to lose hope but to become builders of bridges of communion, justice and peace.
Reflecting on the parable of the wheat and the weeds, the Cardinal called for patience, prudence and trust in God’s timing. Quoting Pope Benedict XVI, he reminded the congregation that “The world is redeemed by the patience of God. It is destroyed by the impatience of man.” He urged Christians to avoid rash judgment and instead cultivate dialogue, reconciliation and understanding.
Speaking on the parable of the yeast, Cardinal Czerny said Christians are called to transform society quietly but effectively through their daily witness. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church, he noted, must continue reading the signs of the times and creatively promote justice, peace, human dignity and integral human development.
Concluding his homily, he invited the faithful to imitate the Blessed Virgin Mary by becoming “weavers of hope,” working together to build bridges of communion, hope, justice and good governance throughout Eastern Africa.
As the host Archbishop, Archbishop Philip Anyolo welcomed delegates on behalf of the clergy, religious and faithful of the Archdiocese of Nairobi, describing it as a blessing and privilege to host the AMECEA family.
“We are truly humbled by your presence,” Archbishop Anyolo said. “We hope that this week will give you a profound experience of faith, Christian fellowship, and the warmth, energy and vibrancy of the Church in Kenya.”
Drawing inspiration from the Gospel of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, he prayed that Christ would walk with all participants throughout the Assembly, saying, “Stay with us, Lord.” He encouraged those who feel discouraged, lost or burdened to encounter the Risen Lord, who brings hope, peace and renewed strength.
Addressing the young people, Archbishop Anyolo reminded them that they are not only the future of the Church but also its present. Quoting St. Paul (1 Timothy 4:12), he encouraged them to become examples in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, urging them to live their faith courageously and allow the Holy Spirit to guide them as joyful witnesses of the Gospel.
In his keynote address, Rt. Rev. Charles Joseph Kasonde, Bishop of Solwezi and Chairman of AMECEA, reflected on the Association’s 65-year journey, describing the Assembly as the fruit of a vision embraced by the bishops of Eastern Africa to build a Church that walks together across borders and cultures.
“Sixty-five years ago, the bishops of Eastern Africa dared to imagine a Church walking together across our borders and cultures. Today, here in Kenya, we are the fruit of that dream,” Bishop Kasonde said.
He thanked Cardinal Czerny for bringing the closeness of the Holy Father to the region and expressed gratitude to the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops for hosting the Assembly.
Highlighting the Assembly’s theme, “AMECEA’s Synodal Journey with Young People: Building Bridges of Communion, Hope, Justice and Good Governance,” Bishop Kasonde announced that the bishops of the region have made young people their pastoral priority for the next four years.
He emphasized that the Church must journey with young people by listening to them, accompanying them and giving them a genuine sense of belonging within the Catholic Church. Recalling that nearly six out of every ten Africans are under the age of 25, he described this reality as both a great opportunity and an urgent pastoral responsibility.
Bishop Kasonde also appealed for prayers for peace throughout Eastern Africa, remembering communities affected by conflict, displacement and violence, and praying that the Plenary Assembly itself would become an instrument of reconciliation and hope.
The opening ceremony also featured the introduction of bishops’ conference delegations from across the AMECEA region, youth representatives, Catholic institutions, development partners, religious, clergy and Catholic media, reflecting the unity and diversity of the Church in Eastern Africa.
Concluding the opening ceremony, Monsignor Luciano, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Apostolic Nunciature in Kenya, welcomed participants on behalf of the Holy See and assured them of the spiritual closeness of Pope Leo XIV.
He then read the Holy Father’s message, conveyed through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State. Pope Leo XIV congratulated the bishops for recognizing young people not only as the future of the Church but as an essential part of her present, called to walk together in the synodal journey and contribute actively to the Church’s mission.
The Holy Father encouraged renewed trust in Christ, our hope, especially in a world marked by division, poverty, conflict and uncertainty. He invited AMECEA to continue building bridges of communion through dialogue, formation and integrity in leadership, entrusting all participants to the maternal protection of Mary, Mother of the Church, and imparting his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of peace and hope.
The opening celebration set a hopeful tone for the week-long Assembly, reaffirming the Church’s commitment to accompanying young people and strengthening evangelization while promoting peace, justice and integral human development across the AMECEA region.