Aims of IMBISA :::


	Aims of IMBISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The particular aims of IMBISA are:

To effect and maintain liaison between its members;

To provide the members with facilities for Consultation and Pastoral action in matters of common interest;

To promote facilities for forming an up-to-date assessment of situations in Southern Africa;

To maintain communication and co-operation with the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and other Regional Meetings/Associations of Episcopal Conferences in Africa.


	Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

	1. The Plenary Assembly The Plenary Assembly exercises supreme authority in the governance of IMBISA. The Plenary Assembly is constituted of all the members by right of the Episcopal Conferences of IMBISA and any Cardinal Emeritus residing in the Region of IMBISA who is not a member of any of the Episcopal Conferences. The Plenary Assembly is held every three years. To the Plenary Assembly belongs: To elect the President, the Vice-President and the Secretary General; To confirm the election of the other members of the Standing Committee; To approve the Statutes of IMBISA; To set up Commissions and Committees/Departments and to approve By-Laws for them, etc. 2. The Standing Committee The Standing Committee represents the Plenary Assembly in the ordinary governance of IMBISA. The Standing Committee is constituted of the President, the Vice President, the Secretary General and six members, each one elected by the six member conferences from among its members. The Standing Committee has the authority: To execute any mandate and perform any function committed to it by the Plenary Assembly; To organise the Plenary Assembly; To set up Commissions, Committees/Departments whenever the need arises prior to ratification by the Plenary Assembly; To hold and Administer all Goods and Funds belonging to IMBISA; To approve each year the Financial Statements and Budget presented by the Secretary General.


	Standing Commitee Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

President: Rt. Rev. Louis Ndlovu, OSM, Diocese of Manzini, Swaziland (SACBC)

Vice- President: Most. Rev. Dami�o Franklin, Archbishop of Luanda, Angola (CEAST)

Secretary General: Rt. Rev. Adriano Langa, OFM Auxilliary Bishop of Maputo (CEM)

The following are the Representatives of the Episcopal Conferences to the Standing Committee:

Rt. Rev. Roberto Benedito, CSSp, Bishop of Sumbe Diocese, Angola (CEAST)

Most. Rev. Francisco Chimoio, OFM, Archbishop of Maputo, Mozambique (CEM)

Rt. Rev. Paul Khoarai, Bishop of Leribe Diocese, Lesotho (LCBC)

Rt. Rev. Franklin Nubuasah, SVD, Bishop of Francistown Diocese, Botswana (SACBC)

Rt. Rev. Joseph S. Shikongo, OMI, Bishop of Rundu Diocese, Namibia (NCBC)

Rt. Rev. Robert Ndlovu, Bishop of Hwange Diocese, Zimbabwe (ZCBC)

Rt. Rev. Paul Khoarai, Bishop of Leribe, Lesotho was also appointed Representative of IMBISA Standing Committee to the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)

The General Secretariat
The General Secretariat is responsible for carrying out the day to day business of IMBISA and whatever has been assigned to it by the Standing Committee.

The General Secretariat consists of:
The Secretary General who is a Bishop member of IMBISA, a Principal Secretary/Director who is a priest nominated by the Secretary General and approved by the Standing Committee; to prepare the minutes of IMBISA meetings; to act as Treasurer and manage carefully the goods and property of IMBISA; to approve press releases; to appoint the personnel required; to submit an annual financial report and prepare the annual budget, etc.

The IMBISA Centre in Harare operates the:

General Secretariat
Refugee Service
Social Communications Department
Theological Reflection and Exchange
Biblical Pastoral Ministry
Translation Office

Secretariat Director: Fr. Regis Rubaya