By Arnold Neliba
LOMÉ, JUNE 23, 2023 (CISA)-“One of my priorities is to position Caritas as the organized service of charity by promoting local leadership, ecumenical cooperation, and then working closely with actors from other like-minded religious groups, synodality or communion,” Ms Lucy Afandi Espila, the Executive Secretary of Caritas Africa has said.
In an interview with La Croix, she notes that in addressing the challenges that Africa faces; crises such as pandemics, wars and conflicts, climate change, “it is essential to strengthen pastoral collaboration and communication with the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).”
“I work under the direction of the President, Bishop Pierre Cibambo, who is responsible for the general governance of Caritas on our continent. My mission will be shaped by this organization’s 2024-2030 strategic plan. Inspired by the Gospel and within the framework of the mission of the Church, we work in a spirit of communion, fraternal cooperation and partnership for a better Africa by serving vulnerable populations,” she said.
In order to mitigate some of these challenges that Africa faces, Esipila with a 12 year experience at the diocesan, national and religious levels aims to strengthen national Caritas towards mitigating humanitarian emergencies.
“It is also about strengthening national Caritas to empower marginalized and disadvantaged people and to advocate for the creation of resilient communities with their own participation, but also to act effectively in the face of humanitarian emergencies. The coordination must also encourage the members of the network to participate in the various necessary transformations,” she said in her interview.
“Another priority is to achieve the sustainability of Caritas Africa in order to continue to provide basic services to the 46 member organisations, to cover the operational costs of the secretariat, to strengthen our role of representation, facilitation and coordination in humanitarian action, strengthen our international advocacy and ensure that the voices of the communities we serve are heard,” she adds.
As the synod prepares to deliberate on the recommendations captured in “Instrumentum Laboris” or “working tool” for the upcoming 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October, among them the position of women in the Church, Espila said it is encouraging. “The Church is doing its best to strengthen the role of women and young people in decision-making. I am the living testimony of it; change is on the way and it is welcome.”
“It is a great honor for me to be elected Regional Executive Secretary of Caritas Africa. I see this responsibility as a mission from God because Caritas is one of the main charitable organizations of the Catholic Church and our job is to serve, accompany and defend the poor,” she adds.
Ms Lucy Espila is the first female Regional Executive Secretary of Caritas Africa. She was elected by delegates from the 46 member organizations of Caritas Africa meeting in Rome for the 10th Regional General Assembly in May, 2023.
