KENYA: Kericho Diocese Cares for Environment from Grassroots
Christians of St. Francis Kiptere parish, Kericho
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
In an effort to respond to Pope Francis’ call in his 2015 encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, for all humanity to care for creation, Christians in the diocese of Kericho have been empowered to care for the environment from the grassroots and be familiar with the document which emphasizes “On Care for Our Common Home.”
Speaking to AMECEA online on Tuesday after the launch of Laudato Si’ at St. Francis Kiptere parish on Saturday, September 19, the parish priest Fr. Daniel Mutuku disclosed that the need of caring for creation has been trickled down to the grassroots in the entire diocese so that every Christian can be responsible in implementing the Pope’s Encyclical.
“As Laudato Si’ marks the 5th anniversary, our Bishop Rt. Rev. Alfred Rotich tasked each parish to ensure that we launch the Pope’s Encyclical within our parishes and for the whole month of September we need to celebrate Laudato Si,” Fr. Mutuku OCD stated adding that the Pope himself wishes that people get to know about the Encyclical from all the levels up to the families.”
Narrating how St. Francis Kiptere Parish marked the launch of Laudato Si’ the Kenyan born-cleric said, “Prior to the launch in the parish, we began with sub-parishes where each Christian bought two seedlings, they were blessed, then each person planted a tree in the sub-parish compound and another tree at home. This we did with all the sub-parishes within the parish.”
He added, “We then culminated with the parish where the children first began by reciting some poems on awareness creation to help the Christians understand the importance of taking care of our Mother earth.”
“Since each person and each group was requested to carry a seedling, after the Eucharistic celebration these seedlings for fruits, flowers and for timber were planted in a secluded section set apart as a forest within the compound of the parish,” ,” Fr. Mutuku who has served at St. Francis Kiptere parish for three years explained.
In the course of the month, the parish intends to carry out other environmental activities including having talks with Pontifical Missionary Children (PMC) about caring for mother earth and symbolically the PMC members planting trees within the parish to help the children grasp better what caring for creation entails.
“When the children get to know the importance of creation from tender age, they will conserve the environment and care for creation,” Fr. Mutuku added.
The diocese which currently runs 48 parishes, will end the month-long celebration of care for creation on Saturday, October 3, when the global ecumenical community will also be closing the Season of Creation, an annual event meant to “renew relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment.”
