The Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL) leadership was recently welcomed by President Dr Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone to talk about their upcoming centenary celebrations, which are scheduled for April of this year.
President Bio was briefed on the CCSL leadership’s plans for the historic occasion by Mrs. Melrose Karminty, the Minister of Social Welfare. Minister Karminty presented the President with the theme of this year’s centenary celebration, “Celebrating our past,” during the meeting. “Dedicated to the Present and fostering a positive future,” the statement highlights the Council’s noteworthy position as the second-oldest Christian council in Africa, having been founded in 1924. She emphasised the significant work done by the CCSL, especially in the area of peacebuilding in Africa after the conflict in Sierra Leone.
Rev. Henry Abioseh Alexander Solomon Samuels, the President of CCSL, thanked President Bio for taking the time out of his hectic schedule to speak with them. President Bio has been warmly invited by Rev. Samuels to be the Grand Chief Patron of the centenary celebration, which will begin on April 1, 2024. He described the events that will take place, which will include a centenary building project to honour one hundred years of service to the nation and God, as well as a year-long celebration that will culminate in a large thanksgiving service on September 22, 2024.
President Bio politely accepted the invitation, praising the Council for its many years of national service and reaffirming his availability and resolve to attend the September launch and thanksgiving service. He expressed his appreciation for the CCSL’s long history of fostering harmony and peace in Sierra Leone, especially during trying times like the conflict. President Bio underlined the significance of honouring and commemorating institutions such as the CCSL, the Inter-Religious Council, and Women’s Groups for their contributions to national stability, reflecting on the Council’s critical role in preserving peace during tumultuous times.
He praised the CCSL for playing a crucial role in stopping the conflict from getting worse and paving the way for later intervention and peacebuilding efforts. President Bio’s pledge to recognise and commemorate the centenary of the Council of Churches, which Sierra Leone is getting ready to celebrate, highlights a common commitment to promoting harmony, thankfulness, and hope for the future. The President’s endorsement of the CCSL’s centenary celebration is indicative of a general acknowledgement of the Council’s priceless contribution to the country over the previous 100 years.
