KENYA: Press Statement from the Catholic Bishops ahead of Papal Visit
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE
KENYA CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS DURING THEIR NOVEMBER 2015 PLENARY
ASSEMBLY AT DONUM DEI, KAREN, NAIROBI
KENYA CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS DURING THEIR NOVEMBER 2015 PLENARY
ASSEMBLY AT DONUM DEI, KAREN, NAIROBI
“YOU SHALL KNOW THEM BY
THEIR FRUITS” (Mt.7:16)
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.
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 OF
EVERY PERSON
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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:
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,
make me an instrument of your Peace,
Where
there is hatred, let me sow love;
there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where
there is injury, pardon;
there is injury, pardon;
Where
there is doubt, faith;
there is doubt, faith;
Where
there is despair, hope;
there is despair, hope;
Where
there is darkness, light;
there is darkness, light;
Where
there is sadness, joy”.
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 …….”
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: 6th November 2015
by:
Date: 6th November 2015
_____________________
Rt.
Rev. Philip Anyolo
Rev. Philip Anyolo
CHAIRMAN
KENYA
CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS
CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS
