KENYA: Bishop Lagho Calls for Inclusion of Youth and Women in Inter-religious Dialogue
Rose Achiego Ande
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Malindi Rt. Rev Willybard Lagho is calling on religious leaders to incorporate women and youth in inter-religious dialogue conferences.
Addressing Inter-religious Coordinators at JJ McCarthy Spiritual Centre in Nairobi, on 29th November 2022 during CIRDE Annual General Meeting, Bishop Lagho said female evangelizers can accelerate evangelization in areas where women are more accepted.
He also emphasised the need for the youth to be well conversant with religious teachings. “This will enable them to be best prepared to encounter the rest of the society which is now multi-religious, with religious ideas, believes, practices and doctrines competing for the same human person. Unless our youth are well prepared to face the challenge, they will be swept away,” he said.
While calling on coordinators of inter-faith dialogue to focus on the role of women and youth in inter-religious dialogue, he challenged the women to seek knowledge and understanding of Christian-Muslim dialogue.
“We are encouraging women particularly young women and religious women to take advantage of the opportunities we have in the country and outside the country. To undertake studies, specializing in Christian-Muslim dialogue in Tangaza, Rome and Cairo,” Bishop Lagho said.
He, however, cautioned that the aim of the inter-religious dialogue is not to convert people to the Catholic faith, but to promote the common issues of concern to both religions and religious followers.
“We have common concerns like education of our children where we advocate for value-based education; and issues of climate change where Pope Francis has continuously advised us to be aware not to explore our common home and to work together to preserve it.
The meeting brought together more than 40 CIRDE Coordinators from the Catholic Dioceses in Kenya.
