Representatives of 15,000 women religious to meet in Nairobi

Catholic women religious from Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan in Eastern Africa will converge on Nairobi for an eleven day Sisters of Eastern Africa Study Conference (SEASC) from August 19-30, 2002, at Chemichemi ya Uzima Centre. The theme of the conference is: 'Formation for Religious Women in the New Millennium'. The official opening will be performed by Archbishop Giovanni Tonucci, Papal Nuncio to Kenya. More than a hundred delegates from outside Kenya have confirmed their attendance. Religious women's organisations from other African Countries also send observers to these conferences. Speakers will include not only women religious but also Priests and Bishops. In the early 1970s Religious Women in this English-speaking region felt the need to unite their organisations under one body to co-ordinate their common concerns, aspirations and deepen their commitment to religious life. The name 'Sisters of Eastern Africa Study Conference' was adopted in 1980. The aims and objectives of SEASC became clearer as study conferences were held every two or three years. Religious women's roles in evangelisation and in the building of small Christian communities became distinct. Other issues included formation and inculturation of faith in Eastern Africa. The current chairperson is Sr. Helen Mwalye of Zambia. source: CISA