Catholic doctors association launches in Kenya

(Vatican Radio) Kenya’s Catholic doctors officially launched a professional association this past week. Cardinal John Njue, archbishop of Nairobi, gave the address on behalf of the Kenya Episcopal Conference at the launch on 24 December.

The Church, he said, invites the members of the Kenya Catholic Doctors Association to live the invitation of Christ in Mt 5: 13-16 to be the salt of the earth.

“Dear Catholic doctors,” he said, “allow yourselves to be enlightened by the Gospel so that your eyes of faith may penetrate the misleading attraction of the world that proclaims anti-life principles and courageously stand and be counted.”

“The Catholic Church calls upon her faithful and all people of good will to appreciate the gift of life and safeguard it from the moment of conception to natural death,” he said. “The Catholic Church will therefore continue to urge its professionals, especially in the medical and health care areas, to be vigilant and to stand up for the moral principles and standards, as willed by God and promoted by the … Church.”

Cardinal Njue said the episcopal conference would continue to support the members of the association through chaplaincy and assistance “in all questions that will add value to your professional life”.

In conclusion, he invited the Catholic doctors “to rise, witness and evangelize the medical and health care world”.

“Christ has called you and He will strengthen you,” he said. “In all your joys and sufferings in the defence of the dignity of the human person and sanctity of life, turn the Beatitudes into your personal prayer and see Christ in every step of the way.”