AMECEA: Kenya and Uganda are set to receive Pope Francis
The two AMECEA member countries -Kenya and Uganda
are ready to receive Pope Francis in his historical and first visit to the
African continent.
are ready to receive Pope Francis in his historical and first visit to the
African continent.
Pope Francis’ trip to Africa was confirmed last week through his two video messages, one to the people of Kenya and Uganda, the
other to the people of the Central African Republic (CAR), ahead of his
maiden trip to Africa.
other to the people of the Central African Republic (CAR), ahead of his
maiden trip to Africa.
In his message to Kenyans and Ugandans, Pope Francis said that he was visiting the two East African countries “as a minister of the Gospel to
proclaim the love of Jesus Christ and his message of Reconciliation,
Forgiveness and Peace,” adding that “We are living at a time when religious
believers, and persons of good will everywhere, are called to foster mutual
understanding and respect, and to support each other as members of our one
human family.”
proclaim the love of Jesus Christ and his message of Reconciliation,
Forgiveness and Peace,” adding that “We are living at a time when religious
believers, and persons of good will everywhere, are called to foster mutual
understanding and respect, and to support each other as members of our one
human family.”
Pope Francis wished that his stay in Kenya
and Uganda to be a source of hope and encouragement of all. He invoked God’s
blessings of joy and peace upon families in Kenya and Uganda.
and Uganda to be a source of hope and encouragement of all. He invoked God’s
blessings of joy and peace upon families in Kenya and Uganda.
Commenting on the message of the Holy Father, Mr
Antony Mbandi, The AMECEA Justice, Peace and Caritas Coordinator said that Pope’s message is very powerful not only to the people of Kenya and Uganda, but Africa as well, especially at this time when the continent needs Reconciliation, Forgiveness
and Peace in order to forge ahead.
“Kenya for example which is recuperating from the sores of post-election
violence and recent major terrorist attacks which almost put the country into a
sectarian conflict, receives this message of sympathy from the Holy Father
knowing that violence has no place for a peaceful resolution and that retaliation
brings more harm to peace than a solution.
Antony Mbandi, The AMECEA Justice, Peace and Caritas Coordinator said that Pope’s message is very powerful not only to the people of Kenya and Uganda, but Africa as well, especially at this time when the continent needs Reconciliation, Forgiveness
and Peace in order to forge ahead.
“Kenya for example which is recuperating from the sores of post-election
violence and recent major terrorist attacks which almost put the country into a
sectarian conflict, receives this message of sympathy from the Holy Father
knowing that violence has no place for a peaceful resolution and that retaliation
brings more harm to peace than a solution.
His going to Central African Republic (CAR),
a country which is in conflict even by now, the Holy Father confirms that he is in solidarity with the suffering people in the country as he mentioned that in his message to them, that the goal of his visit is, above all, to bring in
the name of Christ, the comfort of consolation and hope. “I hope with all my
heart that my visit may contribute, in one way or another, to alleviate your
wounds and to favour conditions for a better, more serene future for Central
Africa and all its inhabitants,” he said.
a country which is in conflict even by now, the Holy Father confirms that he is in solidarity with the suffering people in the country as he mentioned that in his message to them, that the goal of his visit is, above all, to bring in
the name of Christ, the comfort of consolation and hope. “I hope with all my
heart that my visit may contribute, in one way or another, to alleviate your
wounds and to favour conditions for a better, more serene future for Central
Africa and all its inhabitants,” he said.
Already there were some fears that due to
issues of insecurity the trip could be changed or cancelled entirely but his video message to the people of CAR confirms his determination to visit the
country despite of the threats.
issues of insecurity the trip could be changed or cancelled entirely but his video message to the people of CAR confirms his determination to visit the
country despite of the threats.
This differentiate him with other government or
political leaders who would have not gone to place like this. But for Pope
Francis this is an occasion for him to speak about Reconciliation, Forgiveness and Peace to all people regardless of different religious belief or political ideologies.
political leaders who would have not gone to place like this. But for Pope
Francis this is an occasion for him to speak about Reconciliation, Forgiveness and Peace to all people regardless of different religious belief or political ideologies.
Let us join him in prayer so that his visit
becomes an opportunity for us to preach and put into practice Reconciliation, Forgiveness and Peace. May God help Us.
becomes an opportunity for us to preach and put into practice Reconciliation, Forgiveness and Peace. May God help Us.
By Fr Chrisantus NDAGA; AMECEA Online News
