KENYA: Archbishop Anyolo Urges the Consecrated to Collaborate for “Authentic Service” in the Church
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Commemorating World Day for Consecrated Life on Saturday, February 5, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Nairobi appreciated the presence of various Religious Congregations in the Archdiocese, encouraging them to collaborate more for “authentic service” in the Church.
“I urge you my dear brothers and sisters to grow daily in your generosity, knowing that by sharing your energy, talents and life, you are contributing to the greater glory and growth of the Church,” Archbishop Philip Arnold Anyolo said while addressing the congregation of consecrated persons during Eucharistic celebration on Saturday, adding, “I continue to encourage you to increase your collaboration for an authentic service of the Local Church.”
“Rather than making your charisms your own spiritual absolutes, each institute and each Congregation should always be ready to appreciate the other in such a way that it increases solidarity and apostolic effectiveness in the Church,” Most Rev. Anyolo.
Through collaboration, the Archbishop said, Consecrated persons can grow one another in service of God and in service of the Church especially in the Archdiocese of Nairobi where they belong and offer their services.
Addressing the Religious men and women during his homily, Archbishop Anyolo stressed to the Consecrated persons that the uniqueness of each Congregation and institute and collaboration should reveal the pastoral needs of the Church.
“In the fulfilment of the noble cause of your charisms and calling, you will find much help for a common understanding of the needs and desires of the local Church of Nairobi,” the Archbishop said and continued, “our coordination will enable you to have a precise understanding of the needs of the Archdiocese and the Church and to discover areas in which pastoral involvement is more urgent.”
In his address during the Eucharistic celebration that was also attended by Emeritus John Cardinal Njue and the Auxiliary Bishop of Nairobi Archdiocese David Kamau Ng’ang’a, Archbishop Anyolo appreciated the involvement of Religious men and women in evangelization through management of various organizations.
“You run many institutions that take care of the youths and other vocational apostolates. I pay homage to you all for the great commitment with which you collaborate throughout the Archdiocese in various forms of apostolates on behalf of your leaders and on behalf of Christ,” the Archbishop said adding that, “I encourage you to find it always in your heart to continue serving the people of God with great dedication as you continually deepen your vocation through discernment and through your Charisms.”
Additionally Archbishop Anyolo promised all the consecrated persons prayers as the Archdiocese marked the World Day for Consecrated Life on Saturday, asking God to protect them from a life of “Duplicity and Charialism.”
