Kenya Bishops call for unity as country awaits Pope Francis
At the end of their scheduled plenary assembly, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a pastoral statement in which they welcome the pending visit of Pope Francis (now only weeks away) and have called Kenyans to embrace peace and co-existence. In a country politically divided along ethnic lines, the Bishops hope the visit of Pope Francis will serve to unite Kenyans.
“May his coming bring us all the spiritual benefits we need to grow as one united Nation, strong in faith and rooted in God’s love,” The Bishops say. “Furthermore, the Pope’s visit will be an opportunity of renewal for all of us Kenyans as we expect his message to inspire us to a greater sense of responsibility and duty to build a Country that is peaceful and God-fearing,” the statement reads in part.
The Bishops have also reflected on the relationship between state and Church.
“The State has to respect the autonomy of the Church and at the same time give the necessary concessions to the Church in view of her missionary and charitable works, especially in the area of tax exemptions,” the Bishops state.
(e-mail: engafrica@vatiradio.va)
See below the full statement signed by all the Bishops of Kenya.
Press Statement by The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops. November 2015 Plenary Assembly held at Donum Dei, Karen, Nairobi.
“You Shall Know Them By Their Fruits” (Mt. 7: 16)
Preamble
We, the Catholic Bishops of Kenya, meeting at Donum Dei – Karen, for the November Plenary Assembly, wish to express our gratitude to God for the Apostolic visit of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to our beloved Country. It is indeed a privileged moment, as we begin the final countdown to this historical State and Apostolic visit. We urge all Catholics and people of goodwill to pray for the successful visit and invite all to turn out in large numbers to welcome the Holy Father. May his coming bring us all the spiritual benefits we need to grow as one united Nation, strong in faith and rooted in God’s love.
Respect for The Dignity ff Every Person
As we prepare to welcome the Holy Father, may this be a moment for all of us to reflect on what we can do to turn this Country into the Kenya we want; a Country where the dignity of every person is respected, where we live together as brothers and sisters, irrespective of our ethnicity, or place of origin; a Country where we can move and work freely as Kenyans, with access to equal opportunities; where the resources of this Country are shared equitably, especially in most neglected and marginalized areas; a Country where there is religious tolerance and respect for persons.
Shared Values and High Standards
The coming of the Holy Father gives us the opportunity to reflect on those values which are the cornerstone and foundation of our Nation, for which our ancestors struggled and sacrificed their lives. We reflect on the values of hard work and honesty, value of integrity and responsibility, national unity and respect for the rule of law.
It is, therefore, our collective responsibility as Kenyans, to fight and guard against emerging trends and threats to these very values. We also must tackle the ‘festering wound’ of corruption, the heightened looting from public coffers by those entrusted with public resources. We must guard against reckless and irresponsible utterances that can incite communities to violence; and promote respect for the laws of the Country.
Similarly, we need to restore the high standards of our education system, characterized by honesty and truth. Our School children need to be brought up in a moral and upright way that is in conformity with our African and Christian traditions.
The Relationship between Church and State
Pope Francis is coming to our Country as the Head of State of the Vatican and as the visible Head of the Catholic Church. This is a good time for us to evaluate and define clearly in law the relationship between the Church and the State here in Kenya. Since each has its own respective role in the society, there is need to take into cognition the separate spheres and competences that each of them enjoys and to recognize, affirm and protect the complementary roles that the State and the Church have in respect to the service provision to the people of this Country. The State has to respect the autonomy of the Church and at the same time give the necessary concessions to the Church in view of her missionary and charitable works, especially in the area of tax exemptions.
The Church on her part, conscious of her divine mission and mandate that compels her to undertake charitable activities in favour of the needy and in the exercise of her teaching, sanctifying and healing ministries entrusted to her by the Lord, commits herself to be faithful to the nature of her calling and to assume her prophetic task of being the moral conscience of the Nation.
It is, therefore, right and just that before any major decision that has moral and spiritual implications and that directly or indirectly touches on those areas that pertain to the competence of the Church is made by the State, it is important for her to consult and dialogue with the Church. In this way, the concerns of the Church and all Kenyans are taken into account.
Unity in Diversity
Dear Kenyans, as the time of the Pope’s visit approaches, each of us is invited to ask himself or herself: what am I doing to make this Country a more peaceful and prosperous Nation? What am I doing to promote co-existence and to live that “unity in diversity” that celebrates the gifts and the riches that God has endowed to each and every community that forms part of this great Country of Kenya? What more do I need to do so that there is genuine respect for this rich diversity as a Nation that has made our Country enjoy a high reputation in the eyes of the world especially in the world of business, technology, athletics, protection of environment, in peace keeping to name but a few? Let us take to heart the words of St. Paul: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
Appreciation
Furthermore, the Pope’s visit will be an opportunity of renewal for all of us Kenyans as we expect his message to inspire us to a greater sense of responsibility and duty to build a Country that is peaceful and God-fearing.
We sincerely commend all those involved in the preparations for this Papal visit, that their generous efforts may be rewarded abundantly by God. Similarly, we note with a lot of appreciation those who have contributed their resources, experiences and time to make this visit a memorable one. May God reward their wonderful generosity.
Instruments of Peace
In Conclusion, dear Kenyans, we your Shepherds call upon you to pray for our Country. Let us embrace the values of integrity and work towards a peaceful and united Country. Let us stand together and unite to build a secure and God fearing Nation. We make our own the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, whose name the Holy Father took at the beginning of his pontificate:
“Lord, make me an instrument of your Peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy”.
We cordially extend a special welcome to our Holy Father in our African style, ‘Karibu Kenya Baba Mtakatifu.’ God bless Kenya, God bless you all ………. “Ee Mungu nguvu yetu, ilete Baraka kwetu …….”
Signed by:
Date: 6 November 2015
_____________________
Rt. Rev. Philip Anyolo Bishop of Homa Bay
Chairman
KENYA CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS/
His Eminence John Cardinal Njue Nairobi
Most Rev. Zacchaeus Okoth Kisumu
Most Rev. Peter Kairo Nyeri
Most Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde Mombasa
Rt. Rev. Paul Darmanin Garissa
Rt. Rev. Cornelius Arap Korir Eldoret
Rt. Rev. Joseph Mairura Okemwa Kisii
Rt. Rev. Alfred Rotich Military Ordinariate
Rt. Rev. Maurice Crowley Kitale
Rt. Rev. Norman Kingoo Wambua Bungoma
Rt. Rev. Peter Kihara Marsabit
Rt. Rev. David Kamau Ng’ang’a Aux. Nairobi
Rt. Rev. Anthony Ireri Mukobo Isiolo Vicariate
Rt. Rev. Virgilio Pante Maralal
Rt. Rev. Salesius Mugambi Meru
Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Okombo Kericho
Rt. Rev. Anthony Muheria Kitui/Apostolic Administrator Machakos
Rt. Rev. James Maria Wainaina Murang’a
Rt. Rev. Paul Kariuki Njiru Embu
Rt. Rev. Maurice M. Makumba Nakuru
Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich Lodwar
Rt. Rev. Emanuel Barbara Malindi
Rt. Rev. Joseph Mbatia Nyahururu
Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa Ngong
Rt. Rev. Joseph Alessandro Co- Adjutor Garissa
Rt. Rev. Joseph Obanyi Kakamega
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