by Helen Kasaka
A religious canonist has called upon leaders of over 100 congregations gathered at the 16th ACWECA General Assembly to celebrate the gift of their members who are committed to the religious life.
Speaking when she gave a presentation on canon law at Andrew’s Motel in Lusaka August 20, Sr. Rosemary Smith asked the superiors to be grateful for the people who are generous to the sisters.
Smith also advised the superiors to be transparent and communicate issues which affect the local ordinary, sisters, and the general public in a fraternal way.
“Many things that relate to property issues can be communicated appropriately at the right time. It is a shared concern and the sisters should be aware of it. There is need to communicate to the bishop at the right time and even the general public,” she said.
She advised the sisters to practice accountability by providing checks and balances in their administration.
Smith also encouraged the sisters to continue giving themselves entirely and trusting in divine providence.
In her vote of thanks, the ACWECA chairperson, Sr. Margaret Aringo, reiterated that canon law was a skeleton of the juridical part of the church as a code of conduct on how to live. She urged sisters to put canon law in use.
She thanked the African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC) program for sponsoring the ACWECA general assembly.
The presentation on canon law tackled issues such as rights of the congregation, property and ownership, conditions of dismissal and processes of congregations becoming pontifical.
Sisters in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA) are meeting for two weeks to build their capacity in various fields.
[Sr. Helen Kasaka is a member of the Little Servants of Mary Immaculate community.]