KENYA: Catholic media meet to seek better ways of convergence to amplify the Church’s voice
Having 12 radio stations, one catholic television, various print and online publications, the Bishops in Kenya are committed to form synergy for networking and close collaboration to be the alternative voice in the country.
Having gone through general elections that has left the country divided along tribal lines, and the media that is awash with divisive politics that offers less solution to unity, the Bishops would like to strengthen the catholic media to evangelize and relay messages of forgiveness, reconciliation and to restore hope among Kenyans.
Chairman for Social
Communications
Commission – KCCB,
Bishop of Kakamega
Addressing more than 30 Diocesan Communication Coordinators, Print and online editors, TV/Radio Directors and Managers Nairobi on 26th, February, 2018, The Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) – Commission for Social Communication, Rt. Rev. Joseph Obanyi urged the participants to seek ways of coordination so as to speak with one voice on national issues affecting the county.
“Think nationally about having a national radio. Where we are as Kenyans, we need an alternative voice. Ask yourselves, how do we as a church in Kenya bring out this issues nationally?” Bishop Obanyi who is the Bishop of Kakamega Diocese challenged communicators.
He also encouraged the media practitioners to think about sustainability of their various media houses without relaying so much on donor funding. “Find out ways of how to become sustainable without being dependent,” posing a question “how safe are we to sustain ourselves without collapsing. How can the dioceses support the national office to continue coordinating and facilitating its activities?”
Speaking during the closure of the workshop on 27th, February, 2018, The Chairman for KCCB- Commission for Justice and Peace (CJPC) and the Archbishop of Mombasa Most Rev. Martin Kivuva called on the communicators to focus more attention on the Lenten Campaign 2018 theme “Reconciliation for Peaceful Coexistence and National Integration Justice for All.” Which was as a result of the aftermath of the 2017 General Elections.
Commission for Justice & Peace-KCCB,
Archbishop of Mombasa
Echoing Bishop Obanyi’s sentiments, Archbishop Kivuva called on the Catholic Media Houses to unite and to strengthen the voice of the church which is always the voice of reason and to curb the spread of fake news which is also a concern of the Holy Father in his message for the World Communications Day this year which will be celebrated on May 13.
“Let us be brothers and sisters, learn from each other and support each other. This year is a very special year, link up to amplify the voice of the church through collaboration with other commissions,” he said.
In their conclusion of a three-day meeting, the participants drawn from various diocese in Kenya resolved to pull together by enhancing close collaboration through networking, sharing of information and marketing as pull for financial sustainability.
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By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications, KCCB
