KENYA: Kenyans Urged to Adhere to Family Values, Christian Love and Forgiveness Amidst Covid-19 Related Challenges
Bishop Norman King’oo Wambua of Machakos Diocese
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
As Covid-19 cases continue to spike and communities are beginning to experience new social challenges, Catholic Bishops have urged Kenyans not to lose hold of family and Christian values especially during this time when family members are spending most of the time together.
“We are aware of the challenges that have emerged due to Covid-19 pandemic. We note with great pastoral concern that emotions are running high, arguments are exploding frequently within our families,” Bishop Norman King’oo Wambua of Machakos Diocese said on behalf of the Kenya Conferences of Bishops (KCCB) on Trinity Sunday, June 7.
“Worries of access to food, money, rent and job security have characterized the lives of Kenyans, deepening the anxiety of what the future holds for us. These are bringing frustration and anger which results in forms of violence – gender-based violence and reckless behavior, different abuses, indifferences, separations, among others,” the bishops added.
“We urge all Kenyans not to take this pandemic not as an opportunity to deviate from family values but as a God-given moment to rethink and reflect on the meaning of family life and the values and fruits of marriage; to remember that love and forgiveness are the pillars of every family,” Bishop Norman King’oo Wambua who is also Chairman of KCCB’s Family Life National Office highlighted.
Speaking while presiding over a televised Mass at Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi, Bishop Wambua emphasized the significance of family in the society, echoing the Holy Father‘s words that the family is the basis of education.
“The family is considered as a basic unit of society, the original cell of social life whose stability constitutes the foundations of a society,” the Bishops noted and added, “Pope Francis emphasizes that it is in the family where values, faith and culture of the society are learned and practiced.”
He emphasized that the Kenyan bishops do acknowledge the different situations families are currently living in during the pandemic but are encouraging mutual love amidst the diverse circumstances as already cited in Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love) released in 2016.
“In Amoris Laetitia, we are told that crises form part of the life of every family. We are reminded that in the family life, we are to live the love of God in concrete terms; to grow in mutual love and all its characteristics as beautifully outlined by Saint Paul,” they added.
The Bishops in Kenya are encouraging healthy family life whose characteristics include good relationship with God and among each other, Promotion of unity, cooperation, constructive communication, empathy, forgiveness, mutual understanding, appreciation of one another and happy relationships.”
The Prelates warned the people about tribal clashes that have been experienced recently in Narok Country, leading to loss of lives, displacement of people and constantly living in fear. They have asked the government to call “for dialogue between the warring communities to settle their differences amicably in a bid to end the conflict.”
The bishops have further condemned “police brutality dispensed on innocent civilians during curfew enforcement, asking the law enforcers “to handle all situations in a humane way” and encouraging all Kenyans “to be law abiding citizens”.
“We reiterate our commitment to continue working with the State and non-State actors for the common good during these difficult times. We also continue encouraging Kenyans to pray and support the sick, the poor, the elderly, the vulnerable and persons with special needs within our society and to also abide by the directives issued by the Government so that together we can defeat the Covid-19 pandemic,” Bishop Wambua concluded.
