KENYA: Pope Francis’ message to Kenyans during the State House Meeting with the Public Authorities of Kenya and the Diplomatic Corps
25th, November 2015
Mr President,
Honourable Government and
Civil Leaders,
Civil Leaders,
Distinguished Members of
the Diplomatic Corps,
the Diplomatic Corps,
My Brother Bishops,
Ladies
and Gentlemen, I am most grateful for your warm welcome on this, my first visit
to Africa. I thank you, Mr President,
for your kind words in the name of the Kenyan people, and I look forward to my
stay among you. Kenya is a young and
vibrant nation, a richly diverse society which plays a significant role in the
region. In many ways your experience of
shaping a democracy is one shared by many other African nations. Like Kenya, they too are working to build, on
the solid foundations of mutual respect, dialogue and cooperation, a multi-ethnic
society which is truly harmonious, just and inclusive.
and Gentlemen, I am most grateful for your warm welcome on this, my first visit
to Africa. I thank you, Mr President,
for your kind words in the name of the Kenyan people, and I look forward to my
stay among you. Kenya is a young and
vibrant nation, a richly diverse society which plays a significant role in the
region. In many ways your experience of
shaping a democracy is one shared by many other African nations. Like Kenya, they too are working to build, on
the solid foundations of mutual respect, dialogue and cooperation, a multi-ethnic
society which is truly harmonious, just and inclusive.
Yours
too is a nation of young people. In
these days, I look forward to meeting many of them, speaking with them, and
encouraging their hopes and aspirations for the future. The young are any nation’s most valuable
resource. To protect them, to invest in
them and to offer them a helping hand, is the best way we can ensure a future
worthy of the wisdom and spiritual values dear to their elders, values which
are the very heart and soul of a people.
too is a nation of young people. In
these days, I look forward to meeting many of them, speaking with them, and
encouraging their hopes and aspirations for the future. The young are any nation’s most valuable
resource. To protect them, to invest in
them and to offer them a helping hand, is the best way we can ensure a future
worthy of the wisdom and spiritual values dear to their elders, values which
are the very heart and soul of a people.
Kenya
has been blessed not only with immense beauty, in its mountains, rivers and
lakes, its forests, savannahs and semi-deserts, but also by an abundance of
natural resources. The Kenyan people
have a strong appreciation of these God-given treasures and are known for a
culture of conservation which does you honour.
The grave environmental crisis facing our world demands an ever greater
sensitivity to the relationship between human beings and nature. We have a responsibility to pass on the
beauty of nature in its integrity to future generations, and an obligation to
exercise a just stewardship of the gifts we have received. These values are deeply rooted in the African
soul. In a world which continues to
exploit rather than protect our common home, they must inspire the efforts of
national leaders to promote responsible models of economic development.
has been blessed not only with immense beauty, in its mountains, rivers and
lakes, its forests, savannahs and semi-deserts, but also by an abundance of
natural resources. The Kenyan people
have a strong appreciation of these God-given treasures and are known for a
culture of conservation which does you honour.
The grave environmental crisis facing our world demands an ever greater
sensitivity to the relationship between human beings and nature. We have a responsibility to pass on the
beauty of nature in its integrity to future generations, and an obligation to
exercise a just stewardship of the gifts we have received. These values are deeply rooted in the African
soul. In a world which continues to
exploit rather than protect our common home, they must inspire the efforts of
national leaders to promote responsible models of economic development.
In
effect, there is a clear link between the protection of nature and the building
of a just and equitable social order.
There can be no renewal of our relationship with nature, without a
renewal of humanity itself (cf. Laudato Si’, 118). To the extent that our societies experience
divisions, whether ethnic, religious or economic, all men and women of good
will are called to work for reconciliation and peace, forgiveness and
healing. In the work of building a sound
democratic order, strengthening cohesion and integration, tolerance and respect
for others, the pursuit of the common good must be a primary goal. Experience shows that violence, conflict and
terrorism feed on fear, mistrust, and the despair born of poverty and
frustration. Ultimately, the struggle
against these enemies of peace and prosperity must be carried on by men and
women who fearlessly believe in, and bear honest witness to, the great
spiritual and political values which inspired the birth of the nation
effect, there is a clear link between the protection of nature and the building
of a just and equitable social order.
There can be no renewal of our relationship with nature, without a
renewal of humanity itself (cf. Laudato Si’, 118). To the extent that our societies experience
divisions, whether ethnic, religious or economic, all men and women of good
will are called to work for reconciliation and peace, forgiveness and
healing. In the work of building a sound
democratic order, strengthening cohesion and integration, tolerance and respect
for others, the pursuit of the common good must be a primary goal. Experience shows that violence, conflict and
terrorism feed on fear, mistrust, and the despair born of poverty and
frustration. Ultimately, the struggle
against these enemies of peace and prosperity must be carried on by men and
women who fearlessly believe in, and bear honest witness to, the great
spiritual and political values which inspired the birth of the nation
Ladies
and Gentlemen, the advancement and preservation of these great values is
entrusted in a special way to you, the leaders of your country’s political,
cultural and economic life. This is a
great responsibility, a true calling, in the service of the entire Kenyan
people. The Gospel tells us that from
those to whom much has been given, much will be demanded (Lk 12:48). In that spirit, I encourage you to work with
integrity and transparency for the common good, and to foster a spirit of
solidarity at every level of society. I
ask you in particular to show genuine concern for the needs of the poor, the
aspirations of the young, and a just distribution of the natural and human
resources with which the Creator has blessed your country. I assure you of the continued efforts of the
Catholic community, through its educational and charitable works, to offer its
specific contribution in these areas.
and Gentlemen, the advancement and preservation of these great values is
entrusted in a special way to you, the leaders of your country’s political,
cultural and economic life. This is a
great responsibility, a true calling, in the service of the entire Kenyan
people. The Gospel tells us that from
those to whom much has been given, much will be demanded (Lk 12:48). In that spirit, I encourage you to work with
integrity and transparency for the common good, and to foster a spirit of
solidarity at every level of society. I
ask you in particular to show genuine concern for the needs of the poor, the
aspirations of the young, and a just distribution of the natural and human
resources with which the Creator has blessed your country. I assure you of the continued efforts of the
Catholic community, through its educational and charitable works, to offer its
specific contribution in these areas.
Dear
friends, I am told that here in Kenya it is a tradition for young
schoolchildren to plant trees for posterity.
May this eloquent sign of hope in the future, and trust in the growth
which God gives, sustain all of you in your efforts to cultivate a society of
solidarity, justice and peace on the soil of this country and throughout the
great African continent. I thank you
once more for your warm welcome, and upon you and your families, and all the
beloved Kenyan people, I invoke the Lord’s abundant blessings.
friends, I am told that here in Kenya it is a tradition for young
schoolchildren to plant trees for posterity.
May this eloquent sign of hope in the future, and trust in the growth
which God gives, sustain all of you in your efforts to cultivate a society of
solidarity, justice and peace on the soil of this country and throughout the
great African continent. I thank you
once more for your warm welcome, and upon you and your families, and all the
beloved Kenyan people, I invoke the Lord’s abundant blessings.
Mungu
abariki Kenya!
abariki Kenya!
God
bless Kenya
bless Kenya
Source:
HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE
HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE
