KENYA: Catholic Bishops join Apostolic Nuncio to Mark the First Anniversary of Pope Francis

The Catholic Bishops of Kenya joined the Apostolic Nuncio to
Kenya and South Sudan, His Excellency Charles D Balvo on 13th March
2014 to celebrate the first anniversary of Pope Francis at the Apostolic Nunciature in Nairobi, Kenya.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Kenya Conference
of Catholic Bishops, H.E. John Cardinal Njue, paid a tribute to Pope Francis
for his humility and reaching out to all the people regardless of their social,
economic or religious status. He has called on all people to learning from the
life and attitude of Pope Francis by inviting the Church to be in the midst of
society for the purpose of giving credible witness to the Gospel of Christ.

Cardinal Njue said, “by the simply of his life, Pope Francis
has come down to the level of the people that God has entrusted him to serve.
This is a very powerful for all of us.” He went on to say, “May we accompany
him in and pray for him that the Lord may give him strength so that the Church
can fulfill her mission of being close to all people irrespective of their
situations.”

Addressing
the audience who attended the Anniversary, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and
South Sudan, His Excellency Balvo recalled that during the time of the election
when the name of the new pope was announced, right there and then, many people
realized that there would be something very different about him. During this one
year of his Pontificate, what we have seen and heard has shown us indeed what a
difference he has made in so many ways.

The Apostolic
Nuncio said that during the first meeting with members of the Diplomatic Corps
accredited to the Holy See some, Pope Francis highlighted that among the most
remarkable things that happened in the year 2013 was the establishment of diplomatic
relations between the Holy See and South Sudan, a country that is close to his
heart.

Most Rev
Balvo said, “Pope Francis expressed commitment that the Catholic Church will
continue to ensure her presence and cooperation, working generously to help
people in every possible way, and above all, to build a climate of
reconciliation and peace among all groups and societies.” He further said, “Indeed
the Holy Father emphasized that the spirit that seeks to promote true peace,
grounded on truth, justice, charity and liberty, should be seen in the
cooperation that the Holy See and the Catholic Church offer all over the world.”

On its part,
the Kenya Government has commended the Holy See for its cordial relations and
support to the people of Kenya. Representing the government of Kenya the Embu
Senator Hon. Lenny Kivuti, commended the Catholic Church for its active role in
the area of education and healthcare provision in the country.

“The Catholic Church is also one of the largest non-state
providers of healthcare services in the country,” said Senator Kivuti. “It has
an expansive network which consists of close to 500 health care units and over
50 Community Based Orphanages and Vulnerable Children Programs. The Church has
continued to work hand in hand with the Government to offer services at
affordable rates to millions of Kenyans especially in the remote arid and semi
arid regions of Kenya.”

Senator Kivuti also appreciated the work of the Church in
the field of education, saying a lot of progress has been achieved. “The
Catholic Church in Kenya has over 8,000 primary and secondary schools, five
colleges, a fully-fledged university, and also provides facilities to cater for
people with special needs,” said the Senator.

He called for continued and closer collaboration between the
Church and the Government to help in programmes such as promotion of peace,
social justice, human rights, protection of the environment and eradication of
poverty and hunger.