SECAM 18th Plenary in Kampala underscores the effects of Secularism on African Continent.

By; Jjunju Francis

22^nd July 2019

The special SECAM 18^TH Plenary Assembly and Golden Jubilee discussions started this morning at Common Wealth Resort Munyonyo with a number of presentations in various areas that affect the Catholic Church in Africa and the surrounding Islands.

In the presentation on the Social – Cultural, Political and Economic Challenges faced by the Catholic Church in African one of the presenters, Tenthani Kizito, has noted that Secularism is one of the major challenges eating up the Church.

He pointed out the challenge of declining sense of guilty people taking sin as normal to the extent that young people indulge in pre-marital sex because of material wealth, spending on lavish weddings without a deep sense and reflection on the beauty of marriage as demanded by the Catholic Church.

Kizito said Corruption is another challenge that has caused deprivation of social equity to all, leading to unemployment, increased crime and suffering by those who cannot access the national resources. Corruption is perpetuated by politicians who also use the illicit earnings to compromise the Church through donations and other assistances that are hard to deny.

The Bishops observed the need for responsible Parenthood to save the young generation that is also vulnerable to single parenthood, house attendants and Television a phenomenon that must be urgently addressed.

They emphasised the point of helping Catholics to join Politics with values to help change its bad image and bad practices, among which are; depriving electorate of freedom of speech and expression, equality and social equity.

In summary it was agreed that this presentation should be organized and translated into the three SECAM languages French, Portuguese and English and will be called the ”Kampala declaration” because of its explanations  on all aspects of human life in the modern world.

SECAM will be concluded on Sunday July 28, 2019 at the Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine Namugngo for the grand Golden Jubilee celebrations that is under the theme; Family Church of God in Africa celebrate your Jubilee proclaim Jesus Christ your savior.

It has attracted close to 400 delegates who include; Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops, Priests and Religious including Cardinal Robert Sarah the head of the Sacraments and Divine Worship in Vatican as well as special delegates from America, Asia and Europe.