KENYA: Religious Leaders Discuss Pope Francis’ Document On Placing Human Fraternity And World Peace
Rt. Rev. Alfred Rotich, KCCB ChairmanCommission of Ecumenism with other Religious Leaders
On 15th June 2019, leaders from various religious institutions gathered at the Cardinal Otunga Plaza for an inter-religious dialogue, organized by the Archdiocese of Nairobi and Harmony Institute, to discuss the document on Human Fraternity for world peace and living together published during the apostolic journey made by His Holiness Pope Francis to the United Arab Emirates on 3rd -5th February 2019.
Speaking during the meeting, Chairman of The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) – Commission of Ecumenism and the Chairman of Inter-Religious Dialogue Rt. Rev. Alfred Rotich indicated that the meeting between Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Pope Francis was as a result of an initiative by Pope Saint John XXIII on 19th May 1963 at an ecumenical meeting where he invited all religious leaders from across the world.
Bishop Rotich stated that the peace enjoyed in Kenya today is a product of the inter-religious dialogue and the initiative to discuss the document by Pope Francis that places the human fraternity before religion is a good initiative. He urged that the document be circulated widely even in schools so that people can understand that they are human before they are Muslim, Christian, Hindu or any other religion.
Speaking at the same time, Committee Member of Jamia Mosque and Supreme Counsel of Muslims (SUPKEM) Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome, urged the people to engage in positive dialogues to help the human race move forward.
“We are all human beings, do not segregate people on religious grounds as we are all from the same race.”
Sharing the same sentiments as Sheikh Lethome and His Lordship Bishop Alfred Rotich was Dr Reginald Maudlin Nalugala, one of the panelists and lecturer at Tangaza University College, who maintained that research is the best way forward to enhancing human fraternity.
Meanwhile, Mr. Fatih Akdogan said the document is so significant and historic. “The document does not mention the name of Jesus Christ; it is solely focused on the common values. It is a call to the human race to care for one another – be it Muslim, Christian or follower of any other religion we are all human beings,” said Akdogan.
The bottom line and at the heart of dialogue must be sincerity of intentions the discussion of intentions. This summarized the contribution of His Eminence John Cardinal Njue who was represented by Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua, the Vice Chancellor Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).
“Let us pay attention to this rich document which sets the right path to the worlds religion for a fruitful interfaith dialogue,” indicated His Eminence.
∽End∽
By Dennis Swakei – Archdiocese of Nairobi
