KENYA: The Church reaches out to motorbike riders in Kisumu metropolitan with pastoral care
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) – Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Seafarers, is spiritually reaching out to the motorbike riders locally known as BodaBoda operators through the word of God, in a bid to find ways of giving the best pastoral care services to all the Itinerant peoples.
Speaking on behalf of KCCB Chairman for Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Seafarers Rt. Rev. Joseph Alessandro, the KCCB Canon Law National Director Rev. Fr. Calisto Nyagilo emphasised the need to bring the motorbike riders closer to God since they rarely find time to worship as they are the people who take the faithful to church and wait to return them back home once the service is over.
“Today, more than ever, the Gospel of mercy troubles our consciences, prevents us from taking the suffering of others for granted, and points out ways of responding to the challenges in a manner that is grounded in the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity,” Fr. Nyagilo said.
Addressing the Motorbike rider officials on 5th, June, 2018 at Bishop’s Stam Pastoral Centre in Kakamega Diocese, Fr Nyagilo said that, God’s mercy gives rise to joyful gratitude for the hope which opens up the mystery of redemption by Christ’s blood adding that, every person is responsible for his or her neighbor.
“We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they live. Concern for fostering good relationships with others and the ability to overcome prejudice and fear are essential ingredients for promoting the culture of encounter, in which we are not only prepared to give, but also to receive,” he said.
Motorbike riders in Kakamega just like other places in Kenya, experience numerous challenges like lack of time to worship, accusations of criminal acts like rape and theft, accusation of reckless riding leading to accidents and unprofessionalism in the industry. They also feel that they are not viewed as important members of the society according to one of the officials.
The commission for Refugees through the officials wants to bring the riders closer to church where they will be able to receive spiritual nourishment and has also taken up the duty to educate chaplains and pastoral agents about the reality of refugees, migrants, people on the move, asylum seekers, IDPs or stateless persons in the country, dioceses and parishes.
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By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications-KCCB
