KENYA: Hundreds of Catholic Faithful Walk in Memory of Cardinal Otunga
Scores of
Catholics, the Clergy, Religious and laity on Saturday, September 6 took part
in a walk planned to mark the 10th anniversary of the passing on of the Servant
of God Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga.
Catholics, the Clergy, Religious and laity on Saturday, September 6 took part
in a walk planned to mark the 10th anniversary of the passing on of the Servant
of God Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga.
The walk was
flagged off by Nairobi Auxiliary Bishop, Rt. Rev. David Kamau on behalf of His
Eminence John Cardinal Njue.
flagged off by Nairobi Auxiliary Bishop, Rt. Rev. David Kamau on behalf of His
Eminence John Cardinal Njue.
The
participants, young and old, braved the chilly morning weather led by the
Starehe Boys School Band along the way, to complete the 12 kilometre walk.
participants, young and old, braved the chilly morning weather led by the
Starehe Boys School Band along the way, to complete the 12 kilometre walk.
Addressing
the participants before flagging them off, Bishop Kamau thanked them for
“showing solidarity with our beloved Cardinal Otunga.”
the participants before flagging them off, Bishop Kamau thanked them for
“showing solidarity with our beloved Cardinal Otunga.”
“Your
participation is commendable and shows your solidarity with a man, who is
currently being considered for Sainthood,” said Bishop Kamau.
participation is commendable and shows your solidarity with a man, who is
currently being considered for Sainthood,” said Bishop Kamau.
Among the
participants included the Vice Postulator of the Cause for the Beatification of
Cardinal Otunga, Br. Reginald Cruz and a number of the Central Committee
members from the Cardinal Otunga Beatification Office.
participants included the Vice Postulator of the Cause for the Beatification of
Cardinal Otunga, Br. Reginald Cruz and a number of the Central Committee
members from the Cardinal Otunga Beatification Office.
Later at
mid-day, Bishop Kamau presided over the Cardinal Otunga memorial mass at the
Holy Family Minor Basilica alongside six other priests.
mid-day, Bishop Kamau presided over the Cardinal Otunga memorial mass at the
Holy Family Minor Basilica alongside six other priests.
In his
homily, Bishop Kamau called on the Catholic faithful to consistently pray for
the soul of Cardinal Otunga as well as support the beatification process with
their personal resources.
homily, Bishop Kamau called on the Catholic faithful to consistently pray for
the soul of Cardinal Otunga as well as support the beatification process with
their personal resources.
“The two are
very important in the ongoing beatification process of Cardinal Otunga,” said
Bishop Kamau. “Let us all note that this is not just a Kenyan affair but one
that belongs to the universal church.”
very important in the ongoing beatification process of Cardinal Otunga,” said
Bishop Kamau. “Let us all note that this is not just a Kenyan affair but one
that belongs to the universal church.”
In his
address, Brother Cruz said the process has already gone past the Diocesan Phase
and entered the Roman Phase.
address, Brother Cruz said the process has already gone past the Diocesan Phase
and entered the Roman Phase.
“A report on
the Diocesan Phase was completed at the end of last year and subsequently
dispatched to Rome in preparation for the second phase,” he told the assembled
faithful.
the Diocesan Phase was completed at the end of last year and subsequently
dispatched to Rome in preparation for the second phase,” he told the assembled
faithful.
Bro Cruz
revealed that Rome had already perused the documents sent in and given the go
ahead for the process of writing a biography on Cardinal Otunga to begin in
readiness for the commencement of the second phase.
revealed that Rome had already perused the documents sent in and given the go
ahead for the process of writing a biography on Cardinal Otunga to begin in
readiness for the commencement of the second phase.
He called on
the local Church to support the process in all aspects. “Rome expects the local
Church where the candidate came from to show its support through prayers and
financial resources,” said Bro Cruz.
the local Church to support the process in all aspects. “Rome expects the local
Church where the candidate came from to show its support through prayers and
financial resources,” said Bro Cruz.
SOURCE: By Francis Njuguna, A Catholic Journalist, Kenya
