Kenya has officially welcomed His Eminence Michael Cardinal Czerny, SJ, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, ahead of the 21st Plenary Assembly of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), scheduled to take place from 19–26 July 2026 at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) in Nairobi.
Cardinal Czerny arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) from the Vatican, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Dumisani Vilakati and Msgr. Joseph Xavier Raj Savarimuthu.
The Cardinal and his delegation received a warm welcome from Monsignor Luciano Labanca, Chargé d’Affaires at the Apostolic Nunciature in Kenya; Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Makunde, Secretary General of AMECEA; Very Rev. Fr. Jude Waweru, Secretary General of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB); Very Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua, Vice Chancellor of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA); members of the AMECEA Secretariat in Kenya, priests, the choir from Assumption of Mary Parish–Umoja, and members of the lay faithful.
The arrival of Cardinal Czerny marks an important milestone as Kenya finalizes preparations to host one of the Catholic Church’s most significant regional gatherings. The week-long assembly will bring together bishops, clergy, religious men and women, lay faithful, and invited guests from the AMECEA region and beyond to reflect on the mission of the Church in responding to today’s pastoral, social, and humanitarian realities.
This year’s plenary will be held under the theme, “Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace: Journeying Together Towards Stronger AMECEA as Pilgrims of Hope.” The theme invites the Church in Eastern Africa to renew its commitment to proclaiming the Gospel while fostering unity, reconciliation, justice, and peace across the region.
A unique highlight of the opening day will be the participation of more than 10,000 young people from across the globe, who have been invited to join the celebrations and engage with the bishops. Their presence underscores AMECEA’s commitment to empowering young people and recognizing them as active participants in the life and mission of the Church. The gathering is expected to provide a platform for dialogue, inspiration, and shared reflection between Church leaders and the youth as they journey together as Pilgrims of Hope.
As Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Cardinal Czerny has played a leading role in advancing the Church’s mission of promoting human dignity, caring for creation, supporting migrants and refugees, fostering social justice, and accompanying vulnerable communities worldwide. His participation in the plenary reflects the Holy See’s continued support for the Church in Eastern Africa and its pastoral mission.
Throughout the assembly, delegates are expected to deliberate on key issues affecting the Church and society, including evangelization, synodality, youth ministry, peacebuilding, integral human development, and sustainable development within the AMECEA region.
The 21st AMECEA Plenary Assembly also offers an opportunity to strengthen collaboration among the member Episcopal Conferences while discerning new pastoral priorities that respond to the evolving needs of the faithful and the wider society.
As delegates continue arriving in Nairobi, anticipation continues to build for a historic week of prayer, dialogue, and discernment that will shape the future pastoral direction of the Catholic Church in Eastern Africa.
