FIRST MEETING IN JULY 1961
The first Plenary meeting took place in Dar-es-Salaam from 17th – 26th July 1961 under a very significant theme: “The Future of the Church in Africa”. Interestingly the agenda items for this first Plenary included:
- The Church and Media: Regional TV, Radio Station and Printing Press.
- Spiritual Formation for the Diocesan Priests.
- A Need for a Centre for Pastoral Renewal and On – going Formation.
- A Possibility of a Regional University or at least a University College.
- A Comprehensive Self – reliance Programme.
- The Future of Catholic Schools and Catholic Education (need for a Christian Religious Education Syllabus).
- Justice and Peace Issues in the Region.
DEVELOPMENT OF AMECEA
1960: Tanganyika Bishops propose collaboration among Catholic Bishops in the region. This will later be called the Inter-Regional Episcopal Board in Eastern Africa (ITEBEA).
1961: THE 1st ITEBEA PLENARY ASSEMBLY HELD IN DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA. Theme:“The Future of the Church in Africa”
1964: THE 2nd PLENARY ASSEMBLY HELD IN ROME, ITALY. Theme: “Study, Discussion and Approval of Constitution”
- Full-time Secretary General.
- Permanent office in Nairobi, Kenya.
- ITEBEA changed to AMECEA.
- First Constitution of the Regional association approved.
1967: THE 3rd PLENARY ASSEMBLY IN NAIROBI, KENYA. Theme: “Pastoral Perspectives in Eastern Africa after Vatican II” Launch of AMECEA Pastoral Institute (API) in Ggaba Kampala, Uganda.
1968: The birth of the following offices:
- AMECEA Social Communications Department.
- Religious Education Department.
- AMECEA Research Department.
- Gaba Publications (AFER and SPEARHEAD). AFER was launched in 1959 by the White Fathers (today’s Missionaries of Africa) in Katigondo Major Seminary in Uganda.
2002: THE 14th PLENARY ASSEMBLY IN DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA. Theme: “Deeper Evangelization in the New Millennium.”
- AMECEA Documentation Department (ADS) is merged to AMECEA Social Communications Department.
- AMECEA Justice and Peace Desk is established under the Pastoral Department.
- Apostolate to the Nomads of AMECEA (ANA) is incorporated to the AMECEA Pastoral Department as a Desk.