KENYA: Franciscan Worldview, a Foundation of Human Development and Better Living, Kenyan Cleric to Franciscans
This is the logo for the Feb. 4 International Day of Human Fraternity, a new effort to promote dialogue between cultures and religions. Pope Francis was among several world and religious leaders who participated in a virtual meeting Feb. 4 to mark the celebration, which has been established by the United Nations. (CNS photo/Vatican News, handout)
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
While nations marked the International Day of Human Fraternity on Thursday, February 4, the Franciscan family in Kenya marked the celebration on Saturday, February 13, with a Franciscan cleric highlighting to followers of the virtual session that Franciscan worldview is the “foundation of human development and basis of better living.”
The first ever International Day of Human Fraternity celebration is linked with the historic signing of the document on “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb when they met in Abu Dhabi with the intent of teaching humanity the significance of solidarity and peace.
“As Franciscans, this is an event of great importance because it testifies how Pope Francis is slowly leading the Church and indeed the whole world to embrace the Franciscan worldview, which is a fundamental aspect that grounds and influences our way of perception and thinking,” the facilitator for the day Fr. David Mbugua said while addressing dozens of Franciscans online.
“St. Francis managed to rebuild the world during his time. With this knowledge, embracing his spirituality can be a source of foundation to change the world based on human relationship, love of God and neighbour for the world to become the foundation of not only human development but also a better living place,” Fr. Mbugua a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFMCap), added.
International Day of Human Fraternity that was adopted by the United Nation (UN) in 2020 during their General Assembly, aims to underline the importance of raising awareness about different cultures and religions, or beliefs, and the promotion of tolerance.
According to Fr. Mbugua, the current world view of humanity is made up of dichotomies where the world wants to differentiate “what is religious from what is secular, which is based on wrong assumptions. This radically divide the sacred from the secular, the natural from the supernatural as well as science from religion.”
Based on this current world view of humanity the Capuchin Friar told the congregations inspired by Saint Francis, “Pope Francis reminds us that there is no radical dichotomy, instead the current worldview and religion need to be closely related.”
In this first ever International Day of Human Fraternity the UN Secretary- General Mr. António Guterres called for more commitment towards promoting cultural and religious tolerance.
“Around the world, deep-seated discrimination, acts of intolerance and hate crimes persist against people simply because of their religion or belief, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation,” Mr. Guterres has been quoted to have said.
In this case he said, “Let us commit to do more to promote cultural and religious tolerance, understanding and dialogue.”
