KENYA: Catholic Bishops Call for Reawakening of Conscience to Act for Common Good
Archbishop Philip Anyolo, Chairman, KCCB
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Under the national body the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Church leaders have called on government and all citizens to be act responsibly for the good of everyone in the nation.
In a press statement read by the Chairman of KCCB Archbishop Philip Arnold Anyolo on the occasion of the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Joseph Maluki Mwongela of Kenya’s Kitui diocese on Saturday August 29, the Church leaders said that “all of us have a duty to be watchful that we do what is right for the good of everyone.”
Based on the pastoral letter the Bishops released at the beginning of the year emphasizing the significance of individual conscience as an issue of concern for the “renewal and reconciliation of the nation,” the Prelates have highlighted a number of current challenges the country needs to address.
“Coronavirus pandemic has caused severe havoc on our economy,” the bishops underscored adding, “Thousands of Kenyans have lost jobs and business opportunities; many families particularly those that depend on employment and more so on daily wages, are facing enormous difficulties sustaining themselves.”
In this case, the Bishops call on the government to “avail more resources to assist the most vulnerable members of our society, the poor, the jobless and all those who are struggling to make ends meet.”
They added that the effect of COVID-19 has “impacted heavily on the social fabric of our nation” including “domestic violence, erosion of family values, lack of proper parental guidance of children, increase of crime, and loss of moral values,” advising that every individual and community needs to work towards strengthening the family institution and formation of conscience for our young people to embrace values that enhance their lives.”
Concerning the disagreements regarding county allocation of revenue which has raised fear that the stalemate may cause suffering on the people, the Prelates appeal to the Senate that monetary allocations to counties be urgently distributed.
“The Senate should not continue holding the Country in ransom by their narrow interests, political favoritism and revenge missions, at the expense of the well-being and the good of the people of Kenya,” the bishops added.
On the scam concerning misappropriated Covid-19 funds in billions which have now dominated the media in the country, the bishops have expressed that Kenyans are “angry” with those politicians and public officers who see in Covid-19 pandemic “an opportunity to divert to themselves resources meant to fight the virus and its effects.”
“The funds that have been received to fight the pandemic must be accounted for to the last cent,” the Prelates emphasized and added, “We, the Catholic Bishops, take great exception of the allegations of misuse of the Covid-19 funds that were designated for the fight against the pandemic. “
“Once again we are witnessing the ugly head of corruption, which we have continuously condemned, shamelessly looting from the vulnerable people ravaged by the virus and harsh economic times. We call upon the auditors, the investigative agencies and the judiciary, to take decisive action to deal with this evil and have all those involved in this scam to face the law,” they stressed.
“Corruption is not a path to life, it is a path to death. We condemn the alleged looting of Covid 19 money and indeed all forms of pillaging of public resources of all levels,” they continued.
