The Beginning of ACWECA
Early in the 1960s, the Sacred Congregation for the Religious in Rome expressed the passion that each country would have a National Association. In response to the Holy See’s desire, women Institutes of consecrated life in Eastern and Central African countries formed Conferences of Major Religious Superiors. Zambia, Kenya, Malawi & Uganda.
In the 1970’s the need was felt to create a common forum for Women Institutes of Consecrated Life to address common issues and challenges facing consecrated women in the East and central English-speaking Africa, similar to the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern African (AMECEA) had done in 1961; this Association was then a response to the felt need.
In 1973 sisters were invited to the AMECEA plenary assembly. At this meeting, the sisters met independently for the first time within the AMECEA conference.
The Association of Sisterhoods in Kenya (AOSK), the Tanzania Catholic Association of Sisters (TCAS), the Zambia Association of Sisterhoods (ZAS), and the Association of Religious Institutes in Malawi (ARIMA)
In 1974, 1st meeting of the Sisters in Eastern and Central Africa was held in Limulu Kenya. This is referred to as the 1st ACWECA Plenary Assembly by then they called themselves AMECEA Sisters. At this meeting, they invited the Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU), a joint National Association. Therefore at this meeting, there were Sisters from 5 countries.
The Role of Religious Women in Evangelization’
With the avidity of some pioneer members of some women’s institutes of consecrated life, seminars, and guided prayer experiences were further organized to foster the Human and Spiritual growth of Women Consecrated persons within each particular country
During plenary Assemblies and meetings objectives and guidelines were developed
Objectives
- To promote effective Leadership for the Association, Member Conferences, and Individual Institutes
- To strengthen Formation and On-Going Formation
- To provide Research/Education/Capacity building for Women Religious in areas of need
- To be an advocate for Justice, Peace & Integrity for Creation
- To foster Self-Sustenance of the Associations, Member Conferences, and Individual Institutes
- To collect membership dues from the member conferences and associate members and accept donations and grants from other suitable bodies, to be used solely for the achievement of its objectives
Expansion Period
1973 – A call from Rome asked the Sisters of Kenya to organize the Sisterhoods of Eastern Africa as a follow-up of the UISG meeting in Rome.
1974 – African Sisters of Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia agreed to study together common goals.
1975 – The Sisters agreed to explore the formation area deeply as religious women with a vision.
1978 – The African Sisters in Eastern Africa continued the journey of faith and they focused on the Formative influence of Community at this time a decision was made to establish a Secretariat, to ensure that there is a coordinated effort and to ensure the continuation as the aims and objectives of the Study Conference became broader and more defined.
1978 – In 1980, they adopted the name «Sisters’ East Africa Study Conference» (SEASC). At the same time, a desire was felt to form an Association. Up to this time they were Sisters from Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia but they were inviting Sisters from Ethiopia.
1980 – In 1980, they adopted the name «Sisters’ East Africa Study Conference» (SEASC). At the same time, a desire was felt to form an Association. Up to this time they were Sisters from Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia but they were inviting Sisters from Ethiopia.
1981 – Study conferences continued yearly with various them but all geared to strengthen Formation.
1981-1997 – SEASC was operating under the auspices of AOSK
1983 – All these were incorporated into the SEAC’s despite their nature as joint conferences
- The Association of Religious in Uganda
- Conference of Major Religious Superiors in Ethiopia
- Conference of Major Religious Superiors in Eritrea
- Conference of Major Religious Superiors in Sudan