KENYA: KCCB Appeals for Unity as the Country Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Independence
The Kenya
Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Secretary General Rev. Fr. Vincent has
asked the citizens to treasure Unity, Love, Forgiveness and Reconciliation as
the country celebrates 50 years of independence.
Speaking to AMECEA Online News at his offices at
Waumini House in Westlands, Nairobi, recently Fr. Wambugu said that Love,
Forgiveness and Reconciliation are values that should be for every individual citizen
the country wants to remain united.
Waumini House in Westlands, Nairobi, recently Fr. Wambugu said that Love,
Forgiveness and Reconciliation are values that should be for every individual citizen
the country wants to remain united.
He said that themessage of the Church as the prophetic voice to the people of Kenya as they
celebrate 50 years of independence is to love one another, forgive each other,
and reconcile all the time. “Remain one; Christ said in the Gospel of John that
‘All may be one, I pray for them that all
may be one’. Even in this world with all the difficulties, it is still
possible to be one and that oneness is not only a call it is also a commitment
of every individual because if you have a call at the country level and not at
individual level then we are getting nowhere,” he said.
The Secretary
General said that the people of Kenya need to cherish unity, love, forgiveness
and reconciliation everyday of their life. “This is what has torn our country
into pieces in the past; people have fought, but I like the fact that by God’s
Grace, people have also realized their mistakes and quickly forgiven and
reconciled with each other,” he said.
General said that the people of Kenya need to cherish unity, love, forgiveness
and reconciliation everyday of their life. “This is what has torn our country
into pieces in the past; people have fought, but I like the fact that by God’s
Grace, people have also realized their mistakes and quickly forgiven and
reconciled with each other,” he said.
Fr. Wambugu said
that the Church appreciates the fact that God has brought Kenyans to this time
when the country is celebrating 50 years of independence. He said that the Church
likewise is joining all Kenyans in thanking God for what the country has
achieved in all these years. “The color of our country is what we are; the flag
of our country and the national Anthem represents all of us,” he said.
that the Church appreciates the fact that God has brought Kenyans to this time
when the country is celebrating 50 years of independence. He said that the Church
likewise is joining all Kenyans in thanking God for what the country has
achieved in all these years. “The color of our country is what we are; the flag
of our country and the national Anthem represents all of us,” he said.
He said that the
Catholic Church in Kenya is much older than the country, in fact more than a
centenary; therefore the Church looks back at the Child – Kenya as a country,
and express her gratitude to the fore fathers who brought the child into being
and hope that their prayers should be translated into actions will continue to
keep their good history and heritage.
Catholic Church in Kenya is much older than the country, in fact more than a
centenary; therefore the Church looks back at the Child – Kenya as a country,
and express her gratitude to the fore fathers who brought the child into being
and hope that their prayers should be translated into actions will continue to
keep their good history and heritage.
Fr. Wambugu
referred to the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela on which
he said Mandela’s death happens when Kenya is warming up for the climax of the jubilee
celebrations. “Every leader in the world is eulogizing Mandela; he was a good
man, forgiving, and a preacher of forgiveness and reconciliation. If we really
believe in Mandela then we should not only state what he lived for and articulate
his values but we should make those values be part and parcel of our
commitments for a better future,” he said.
referred to the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela on which
he said Mandela’s death happens when Kenya is warming up for the climax of the jubilee
celebrations. “Every leader in the world is eulogizing Mandela; he was a good
man, forgiving, and a preacher of forgiveness and reconciliation. If we really
believe in Mandela then we should not only state what he lived for and articulate
his values but we should make those values be part and parcel of our
commitments for a better future,” he said.
 |
| Fr. Vincent Wambugu |
“There are still
big challenges facing the country as we celebrate 50 years. Look at the conflicts
that are now mushrooming in Moyale, Marsabit and other places. Let our leaders
take it as an a challenge towards true development that they must
make sure that lasting peace and unity among citizens of this country prevail,”
he said.
big challenges facing the country as we celebrate 50 years. Look at the conflicts
that are now mushrooming in Moyale, Marsabit and other places. Let our leaders
take it as an a challenge towards true development that they must
make sure that lasting peace and unity among citizens of this country prevail,”
he said.
Fr. Wambugu
clarified that there is no distinction between Church and the country
especially when it comes to the national celebrations. “When you ask me about
what the Church is doing to celebrate the Jubilee of the country, I will ask
you, what is the Church? Who are the members? The same members of the Church
are also Kenyan citizens, they are the same people will be the going to attend
the celebrations at the Kasarani
Stadium. These are the same members of the Church who have walked with each
other for fifty years. There is no Church out there and the Country out there
so that you can talk of what the Church is doing and what the Country is
doing,” he said.
clarified that there is no distinction between Church and the country
especially when it comes to the national celebrations. “When you ask me about
what the Church is doing to celebrate the Jubilee of the country, I will ask
you, what is the Church? Who are the members? The same members of the Church
are also Kenyan citizens, they are the same people will be the going to attend
the celebrations at the Kasarani
Stadium. These are the same members of the Church who have walked with each
other for fifty years. There is no Church out there and the Country out there
so that you can talk of what the Church is doing and what the Country is
doing,” he said.
“What I would
say is that we as the Christians and specifically Catholics are part of the
country and we are in communion with the country and we are united in
celebrating our Country of which we are part and parcel of. We are one and our
people are the same and indeed if you ask me who I am; I would say that I am a
Kenyan and I am a Catholic,” he said adding that “Celebrating as a Kenyan and a
Catholic separately means discrepancy and that will be disconnect.”
say is that we as the Christians and specifically Catholics are part of the
country and we are in communion with the country and we are united in
celebrating our Country of which we are part and parcel of. We are one and our
people are the same and indeed if you ask me who I am; I would say that I am a
Kenyan and I am a Catholic,” he said adding that “Celebrating as a Kenyan and a
Catholic separately means discrepancy and that will be disconnect.”
“At 50 we need
to realize the goals and the values of this country and live up to them without
any reservation. Leaders need to make us united not to separate us. We are one
country, one Kenya one nation,” he concludes.
to realize the goals and the values of this country and live up to them without
any reservation. Leaders need to make us united not to separate us. We are one
country, one Kenya one nation,” he concludes.
Source:
AMECEA Social Communications
AMECEA Social Communications
