KENYA: At Thanksgiving Mass Cardinal Njue Urges Clergy, Religious and Laity to “Become Living Stones”

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

After Pope Francis accepted resignation of John Cardinal Njue on Monday, January 4, as the Archbishop of Nairobi, the Prelate held a thanks giving Eucharistic celebration calling on the clergy, Religious and lay faithful to practice the words of Apostle Peter and “become living stones” in the Church.

“Become living stones so that you can build a living house of God, the Church” Cardinal Njue told the congregants as he presided over the thanksgiving Mass held at St. Mary’s Msongari grounds in Nairobi.

The Cardinal was speaking reminding Christians of the Archdiocese of Nairobi that everyone in the Church has a role to play in her growth.

“Our expectation is that every association in the Church will be able to uphold their own identity,” Cardinal Njue who served as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Nairobi for 13 years before his retirement expressed adding.

His Eminence Cardinal Njue who hails from Embu diocese reminded the clergy, Religious and the laity that “Planting the seed of faith is not as difficult as watering it and weeding it so that the seed can grow,” hence he called for commitment and dedication.

“According to the Canon law, there comes a time when as a bishop you have to step aside from administrative work yet for pastoral purposes you are still around,” he clarified to hundreds of congregants who attended the Mass.

“Even though I am retiring, I feel encouraged because our being together has not been in vain. I thank God for the time that we have been able to be together in this Archdiocese. It was not the easiest thing for me in the beginning but I said never say die, forward ever backward never.”

Meanwhile Bishop David Kamau Ng’ang’a who was appointed the Apostolic Administrator of Nairobi Archdiocese following Cardinal Njue’s resignation appreciated the Archbishop Emeritus as “a very hard-working man and a person who has given himself completely for the Church; a unique person, very daring and always going where people would not dare to go for pastoral activities,” Bishop Kamau said.

Other members of the clergy, Religious, and the laity commended Cardinal Njue for the concern he has been having for his sheep and for encouraging collaboration in the Archdiocese.

“You have been a Shepherd and loving father to us. When we were in the wrong you corrected us firmly but with kindness, justly and at the same time mercifully. You worked tirelessly for us to have a dependable medical cover and a reliable pension scheme. You facilitated further studies for many among us, ,” said Fr. Patrick Kimama Chairman of the Diocesan Priests of Archdiocese of Nairobi adding

On her part, the chairperson of the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK) Nairobi District Sr. Anne Katani noted the good service to the Religious by Archbishop Emeritus.

“You were always available to help us. Your tireless efforts to reach us made us proud. You organized forums and seminars for all major superiors working in the Archdiocese of Nairobi where we could discuss how to enhance mutual collaboration,” Sr. Katani a member of the Benedictine of Compassion said and lauded the Cardinal further, “You allowed Religious priests to run some parishes 44 parishes in the Archdiocese.”

Cardinal John Njue was ordained to priesthood in 1973 and was appointed Bishop of Embu in 1986. After 16 years of service in Embu, he was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Nyeri Archdiocese in 2002. In October 2007 he appointed the Archbishop of Nairobi followed by the elevation to the rank of a Cardinal in November the same year.