KENYA: Muslim Community Joins the Cross Border Peace Initiative in Turkana Region
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| Muslim Participant Contributing something to the discussion |
For the first time in the history of Cross Boarder Peace Initiative that started in 2012, the Muslim community in Lodwar has decided to join the initiative by sending three representatives to attend the 3rd
Conference on Peace and Cross-Border Evangelization held at St. Teresa’s Pastoral Centre, in Lodwar from 7th to 10th December 2014.
Conference on Peace and Cross-Border Evangelization held at St. Teresa’s Pastoral Centre, in Lodwar from 7th to 10th December 2014.
Acknowledging on their presence, the Bishop of Lodwar, Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich, during his opening remarks said that commitment of everybody is a key ingredient to attaining peace in the region.
“This conference has been sanctioned by God, we have the mandate to bring peace, so let us go forth without fear and do our work with total commitment and we will surely have peace reign among our people.” Bishop Kimengich said adding that “This is yet another indication that the struggle for peace by the Diocese of Lodwar for all people in Turkana County, the neighboring counties and countries and also in the whole region is at the top of their priorities and it is a struggle they are passionate about.”
The
Conference which had the theme “Collective Responsibility; Peace across All Borders”was preceded with the Eucharistic Celebrations led by the Bishop Dominic Kimengich and attended by Priests representatives from participating dioceses together with Christians from across the region. After
the Holy Mass, the participants held a Peace March through Lodwar Town which
was also led by the Bishop of Lodwar.
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| Participants in a peaceful March through Lodwar Town |
Waving
placards bearing peace messages in English, Kiswahili and Ng’aturkana and
carrying banners of peace the Christians marched to the tunes played by the
Salvation Army Band that was invited for the event and chanted ‘Peace” for all
to hear and bear witness that the Church is and has always been for peace.
placards bearing peace messages in English, Kiswahili and Ng’aturkana and
carrying banners of peace the Christians marched to the tunes played by the
Salvation Army Band that was invited for the event and chanted ‘Peace” for all
to hear and bear witness that the Church is and has always been for peace.
The
conference brought together eight Dioceses; Kitale, Nakuru and Maralal (Kenya),
Kotido and Moroto from Uganda, Torit from South Sudan and Jimma Bonga from
Ethiopia.
conference brought together eight Dioceses; Kitale, Nakuru and Maralal (Kenya),
Kotido and Moroto from Uganda, Torit from South Sudan and Jimma Bonga from
Ethiopia.
Also in
attendance were representatives from the Shalom Center, Chemichemi ya Ukweli,
AMECEA, KCCB- Justice and Peace, Turkana Peace Forum, Turkana County
Government.
attendance were representatives from the Shalom Center, Chemichemi ya Ukweli,
AMECEA, KCCB- Justice and Peace, Turkana Peace Forum, Turkana County
Government.
The
Conference that has become an annual event organized by the Diocese of Lodwar
through Fr. Albert Salvans and the Peace and Cross Border Affairs Department
was aimed at sharing and approving a developmental and strategic plan for 2015
to 2019. It was sponsored by Pax– Netherlands, Trocaire and UKAid.
Conference that has become an annual event organized by the Diocese of Lodwar
through Fr. Albert Salvans and the Peace and Cross Border Affairs Department
was aimed at sharing and approving a developmental and strategic plan for 2015
to 2019. It was sponsored by Pax– Netherlands, Trocaire and UKAid.
SOURCE: Evangeline Munyi, Catholic Diocese of
Lodwar
Lodwar
