KENYA: Mombasa Youth on Peace Caravan to Meet Pope Francis
The Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa is organizing a Youth Peace
Caravan to Nairobi on 25th November, 2015. The aim is to promote peace through
the youth mobilization, interfaith prayers, and public awareness in the coastal
region which has experienced various forms of violent attacks from extremist
groups.
Caravan to Nairobi on 25th November, 2015. The aim is to promote peace through
the youth mobilization, interfaith prayers, and public awareness in the coastal
region which has experienced various forms of violent attacks from extremist
groups.
The move comes at a time when the world’s attention is focused on
fighting terrorism, following the recent attacks in France and Bangladesh which
are linked to religious extremists. The reality of terrorism, grenade attacks,
and shootings, especially in places of worship, is one that is well known to
the people of Mombasa who from time to time have experienced attacks allegedly
committed by Al Shabaab Islamists
from Somalia.
fighting terrorism, following the recent attacks in France and Bangladesh which
are linked to religious extremists. The reality of terrorism, grenade attacks,
and shootings, especially in places of worship, is one that is well known to
the people of Mombasa who from time to time have experienced attacks allegedly
committed by Al Shabaab Islamists
from Somalia.
The theme of the caravan is Pamoja for Peace Pwani; (Together
for Peace at the Coast).
for Peace at the Coast).
It stresses the need for people from Coastal Region to be united and
journey together so as to build a peaceful Kenya for all, despite the
polarization along political, religious and ethnic lines. This Inter-faith
Peace Caravan by Youth from Mombasa to Nairobi hopes to spread the message of
peace, co-existence and respect for all as Children of the One God. The
participants in this Peace Caravan will be coming from the Counties that are
neighboring Mombasa.
journey together so as to build a peaceful Kenya for all, despite the
polarization along political, religious and ethnic lines. This Inter-faith
Peace Caravan by Youth from Mombasa to Nairobi hopes to spread the message of
peace, co-existence and respect for all as Children of the One God. The
participants in this Peace Caravan will be coming from the Counties that are
neighboring Mombasa.
The Caravan is expected to be a unique experience for the Youth,
County Administrators and Inter-Faith Leaders in Mombasa, Voi and Makindu; where
the leaders will deliver messages of Peace to Kenyans. The event is scheduled
to kick off on Monday 23rd November, with road shows through the
streets of Mombasa City.
County Administrators and Inter-Faith Leaders in Mombasa, Voi and Makindu; where
the leaders will deliver messages of Peace to Kenyans. The event is scheduled
to kick off on Monday 23rd November, with road shows through the
streets of Mombasa City.
On Tuesday, 24th November, the Inter-Faith prayers will
be held at the Pastoral Center in Tudor from 2.00 pm where Mombasa Governor,
Hassan Joho, and County Commissioner, Nelson Marwa, have confirmed their
attendance. On 25th November, the Peace Caravan will be flagged off from
the Pastoral Center at 5 am.
be held at the Pastoral Center in Tudor from 2.00 pm where Mombasa Governor,
Hassan Joho, and County Commissioner, Nelson Marwa, have confirmed their
attendance. On 25th November, the Peace Caravan will be flagged off from
the Pastoral Center at 5 am.
The caravan is expected to pass through Kwale, Taita, Machakos and
Makueni counties spreading the message of peace and promoting understanding and
tolerance amongst Kenyans.
Makueni counties spreading the message of peace and promoting understanding and
tolerance amongst Kenyans.
Two major stop-overs have been identified at Voi and Makindu,
where well-coordinated events including Inter-Faith prayers and speeches from
the Governors from different Counties, as well as faith Leaders will deliver
message. In Voi, the first stop of the journey, the Inter-Faith prayers will be
held in a Church compound, while in Makindu, the same prayers will be held
within the compound of a Mosque.
where well-coordinated events including Inter-Faith prayers and speeches from
the Governors from different Counties, as well as faith Leaders will deliver
message. In Voi, the first stop of the journey, the Inter-Faith prayers will be
held in a Church compound, while in Makindu, the same prayers will be held
within the compound of a Mosque.
Archbishop Martin Kivuva of Mombasa will be waiting to receive his
congregants at a demarcated place in Nairobi. So far a total of 16 buses are
expect to carry the Youth journeying during the Peace Caravan while at least 53
buses from different Parishes will carry parishioners to Nairobi for the Pope’s
visit.
congregants at a demarcated place in Nairobi. So far a total of 16 buses are
expect to carry the Youth journeying during the Peace Caravan while at least 53
buses from different Parishes will carry parishioners to Nairobi for the Pope’s
visit.
Over 20OO Catholic faithful from 52 Parishes in Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi
and Taita-Taveta Counties, which constitute the Metropolitan Archdiocese of
Mombasa have registered to attend the Papal Mass in Nairobi on 26th November,
2015. Although the peace caravan is targeting the youth; all Christians
traveling in hired buses from the Parishes on the same day are expected to join
the Peace Caravan.
and Taita-Taveta Counties, which constitute the Metropolitan Archdiocese of
Mombasa have registered to attend the Papal Mass in Nairobi on 26th November,
2015. Although the peace caravan is targeting the youth; all Christians
traveling in hired buses from the Parishes on the same day are expected to join
the Peace Caravan.
By Bertina Kanaka, Communications
Coordinator, Archdiocese of Mombasa
Coordinator, Archdiocese of Mombasa
