The 19th plenary assembly of the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA) has started in Malawi’s capital Lilongwe. 

During the opening Holy Mass at Civo stadium on Monday, President of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi – ECM, archbishop George Desmond Tambala emphasized on the critical role that religious women play in uplifting the affairs of the Church hoping that the assembly will help them dream big. 

 The assembly is being held under the theme: “Transformative Holistic formation for Authentic living towards a deeper Evangelization in the ACWECA Region and Beyond.”

Archbishop Tambala says the Church in Malawi is greatly honored to host this plenary assembly and expects that the sisters will come up with decisions and resolutions that will help the Church to engage with different stakeholders within the Church such as the lay groups to discuss ways on how they can work together.  

ACWECA President Sister Rosalia Sakayombo said the meeting will give them a chance to reflect on their fifty-year journey reaching this far to see the milestones reached and gaps that need to be filled in their evangelization. 

The association is made up of Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya , Malawi, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Zimbabwe is an associate member.

Papal envoy to Malawi and Zambia, His Excellency Gian Luca Perici also attended the opening ceremony along with other Catholic bishops. The assembly will run up to Saturday, the 24th August 2024.