Challenges of Reconciliation and Conflict Resolution for the Christian Churches in Eastern Africa: Roman Catholic Church Perspective

Description

The Catholic Church in the Eastern Africa (AMECEA) countries have been actively involved in Reconciliation, Justice and Peace issues through Justice and Peace Commissions and networks, issuing Pastoral Letters, involvement in lobby, advocacy and mediation, civic education and promoting interfaith and ecumenical approaches to peace building and conflict resolution within the region.. The Bishops are committed to play their prophetic role by encouraging the entire Family of God to get more actively involved in promoting Reconciliation through Justice and Peace within the region. The role of faith based groups in reconciliation efforts is of crucial importance within the actual context of the region. The framework of reconciliation and conflict resolution constitutes an inclusive paradigm within which issues of justice, peace and integrity of creation need to be situated and addressed by the Christian churches in Africa. To engage in evangelization without addressing reconciliation and conflict resolution, both in theory and practice may well be inconsistent and contradictory. Therefore, as well as the Christian churches in Africa addressing issues such as evangelization, development, justice and peace, there is a vital need to name and emphasize the critical importance of the reconciliation and conflict resolution paradigm.