AMECEA Plenary Assembly Focuses on Young People and the Future of the Church in Eastern Africa
By Eric Mwaniki, SJ
Nairobi is hosting the 21st AMECEA Plenary Assembly, one of the most significant ecclesial gatherings in Eastern Africa. The Assembly brings together bishops from the AMECEA region under the theme: “AMECEA’s Synodal Journey with Young People: Building Bridges of Communion, Hope, Justice and Good Governance.” Significantly, all six countries of the Jesuit Eastern Africa Province—Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan—are members of AMECEA, making the Assembly especially relevant to our mission today.
The programme begins on Sunday, 19 July, with an Opening Mass at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), presided over by His Eminence Michael Cardinal Czerny, SJ, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. The Eucharistic celebration has been planned as a major public event, with large numbers of young people invited from across Kenya to participate, reflecting the Assembly’s commitment to listening to and journeying with the youth. On Monday, the Assembly will be officially opened in the presence of H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya.
While the previous Plenary Assembly focused on environmental stewardship, this year’s gathering turns its attention to young people. This shift reflects the pressing realities facing the region: rising unemployment, migration, mental health challenges, digital culture, declining participation in Church life, and the search for meaning among many young Africans. Throughout the week, bishops, theologians, pastoral workers, and young people themselves will reflect together on these realities and discern practical pastoral responses. Sessions will address digital evangelization, youth participation in Church leadership, vocation promotion, safeguarding, economic hardship, and good governance.
For the Society of Jesus, the Assembly is closely linked to the Universal Apostolic Preference of accompanying young people in the creation of a hope-filled future. Through the Loyola Centre for Media and Communication (LCMC), Jesuits are contributing to this mission by supporting media coverage that communicates the life of the Church with professionalism, hope, and fidelity to the Gospel—echoing the vision championed by Archbishop Antony Muheria.
