KENYA: Youths and Children Encouraged to Use Time Wisely Amidst Covid-19 Crisis
Rt. Rev. Antony Ireri, the Apostolic Vicariate of Isiolo and Chairman of KCCB-Commission for Liturgy
Janet Hinga
The Apostolic Vicariate of Isiolo and Chairman of KCCB-Commission for Liturgy Rt. Rev. Antony Ireri on Sunday, June 28 during the televised mass at Holy Family Basilica urged Kenyan youths and children not to succumb to destructive lifestyles, but rather make proper use of their time in the face of the ongoing Covid- 19 crisis.
He reiterated Pope Francis’ words of 2019 to the young people and children reminding them that evil does not have the last word, instead they should lean on true friendship with Jesus Christ.
With the stringent measures put in place in the country to flatten the curve of covid-19 infections, Bishop Ireri noted that during the past 4 months, the Coronavirus pandemic’s impact has been felt in all sectors of the country and has brought strife on the church’s conventional way of worship.
He stressed to all saying, “We have to recognize that while we cannot gather in the usual way, our duty and obligation to worship remains indispensable.”
He further urged all Christians to have a deeper relation with God through meditation and prayer. Referring to the words of St Paul in the second reading (in Romans 6:3-4,8-11) Bishop Ireri said, “Prayer influences our lives so that our lives become a prayer. When our lives are influenced by prayer, we go out of our way to love and serve God and our neighbors. Let us all mirror the early Christians.”
Rt. Rev. Antony Ireri further encouraged Christians to do works of mercy by feeding and clothing the needy, more especially during these times of Covid-19 crisis so that hope, joy and courage may be restored among those who are suffering.
“St Theresa showed us that we can do small things with great love,” he said.
In their collective statement, the Bishops called on families to create routines for communal worship where Christ takes the centre stage.
“Every home is called to become a domestic Church where family life is completely centered on Christ’s love for the Church and as a domestic Church, the family is called to proclaim, celebrate and serve the Gospel of life. Our homes therefore should be the first places of worship.”
