KENYA: Give witness to your vocations, calls Archbishop Muheria
Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Nyeri Archdiocese has called on the young people to shun hatred and tribalism
asking them to respond to love of Christ.
Archbishop Muheria was the main celebrant during the National Catholic Youth Convention held on 25th, November, 2017, in Machakos Stadium.
The concelebrants were Bishops’ John Oballa of Ngong Diocese and David Kamau the Auxiliary of the archdiocese of Nairobi.
Archbishop Muheria who is also the Apostolic Administrator of Machakos urged the young people to be hopeful amidst many challenges they may be facing in life, asking them to remain focused and not to be swayed by wallowing pressures.
“We must say no to hate messages, don’t be swallowed, be the crocodile of hatred. My young people, today we are being told to open our hearts, harden not your hearts, your hands are meant to be for blessings and not for violence,” said the Archbishop.
The theme of the day was, “Faith on fire: God’s call, my response.” It comes at a time when Pope Francis has dedicated the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to be held in Rome in October 2018 to address matters pertaining to the young people.
The convention had also been organized to celebrate Pope Francis’ visit to Kenya in November, 2015. During his visit Pope Francis met with the young people at Kasarani Stadium.
Under the theme ‘Young people, the faith and vocational discernment, the major aim of the synod is to journey with the young people in their process of discernment, shaping their future and bringing them to the encounter with God and with human beings and actively participating in Church’s life and the society.
Archbishop Muheria called on the young people to give witness to their vocation, by living their baptismal promise. He said “The church says today we are not going ahead until we call the youth here,’ stamping the fact of the church evangelizing the young people.” He lauded efforts of all those actively journeying with youths guided by the Diocesan Chaplains and Youth Coordinators, calling on the young people to always carry with them the Catholic prayer weapon; the Rosary and to remain firm in faith despite the torrents and storms of life.
On his part, Bishop Kamau asked the youth to stand firm in faith and to treasure their youthfulness.
Speaking at the same time, Bishop Oballa, termed the young people as the cream and hope of the church and the society.
He said, “The church will accompany you, will listen to you, it will tolerate any traditional initiatives that you will suggest, so long as they are in harmony with the doctrines of the Church and the will of God. You are in the church’s radar.” Said Bishop John Oballa.
He asked the young people to bring suggestions on how they wish to be accompanied more, to be engaged and involved more in the work of evangelization and in fulfillment of their lives in view of their life to come.
Others who attended the convention were; the General Secretary of KCCB, Rev. Fr. Daniel Rono, the Deputy General Secretary of KCCB, Rev. Fr. Lucan Ong’esa Manwa, the National Executive Secretary of the Pastoral and Lay Apostolate Commission, Rev. Fr. Josiah Muthee Mugera under which the docket for the youth fall, youth chaplains from across the country among other clergy, religious people and the laity.
By Daniel Kipng’etich
