CUEA: Graduating Class of 2023, Urged to Stand for Truth in their Service
Chancellor of the University, Bishop Charles Sampa Kasonde of Zambia’s Solwezi Diocese
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
On Friday, October 27, the Catholic University of Eastern Africa located in Nairobi, Kenya, had over 3,000 students graduate, where the Chancellor of the University urged them to clothe themselves with truth as they reach out to serve the people of God in the society.
While addressing thousands of the graduands just before the graduation, Bishop Charles Sampa Kasonde of Zambia’s Solwezi Diocese said, “My plea to our Graduands is to stand for the truth and always stand by your faith. If you pray, remain honest, and stand committed to serving society, you will have already given your life a purpose.”
He reminded the candidates who were to be conferred Diplomas, Bachelor’s Degrees, Master’s Degrees, and PhDs, that life is a journey that is determined by the path one takes urging them to opt for the path of truth.
“Graduands, you have already chosen a promising path by pursuing higher education. You now ought to take the path of truth and by doing so; you will find yourselves with a helper at every turn, no matter how difficult the terrain on your chosen path,” says Bishop Kasonde who doubles as the Chairman of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA).
In his Friday speech, the Zambian Prelate disclosed that the Catholic University owned by the bishops of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) “is one of the seven Catholic Universities in Africa that are officially recognized by the Vatican,” and actually “the only Pontifical University situated in English-speaking Africa.”
As a Catholic University the Chancellor said, CUEA adheres to the Pontifical requirements expected of such an Institution of higher learning and molds students into ethical leaders for the Church and society.
He referenced St. John Paul II’s message in his Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities that, “…a Catholic University is expected to train true professionals who include people of knowledge and culture who, supported by their faith, and their awareness to the commitment that stems from it, are able to testify to their faith in front of the world.”
Additionally, the “professionals are expected to work hard to contribute to humankind’s true progress, without forgetting the spiritual and religious dimension, thus promoting peace, solidarity, and the good of the human family.”
Speaking to the theme of the 42nd graduation ceremony: ‘Transformed by Truth: Embarking on a life of Purpose,’ Bishop Kasonde further referenced St. John Paul II’s message in his Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities that, “A Catholic University pursues its objectives through its formation of an authentic human community animated by the spirit of Christ. The source of its unity springs from a common dedication to the truth, a common vision of the dignity of the human person, and, ultimately, the person and message of Christ, which gives the Institution its distinctive character.”
On his part, sharing with the congregation during the graduation ceremony that was held at CUEA’s main campus in Karen, Nairobi, the Chairman of CUEA Council, Bishop Paul Kariuki Njiru strengthened the aspect of CUEA being guided by truth to transform students to be ethical leaders for Church and society saying that, “Transformation gives CUEA graduates enough skills and aptitudes to embark on a life with individualized purpose that is guided by truth and ethics.”
“In a world where truth is elusive, there is a need for the Church and her institutions to ensure that championing the truth and ethical standards are an integral part of her mission,” advised Bishop Kariuki the pioneer Bishop for the recently erected Diocese of Wote in Kenya.
Addressing the candidates who were yet to be conferred different degrees not only those from the main campus but also from the Constituent universities of CUEA, the chairman of the Commission for Education and Religious Education of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) encouraged the significance of integrity in the society.
“Graduands you only need to drive on the roads of Nairobi or watch international news to see examples of how lack of integrity is suffocating the world today. What I ask of you is to have courage,” the Kenyan Prelate said and continued, “As you take up your careers, always stand up for what is ethical, what is right, and what is just.”
He further called on the graduands to have courage, do what is right, and champion ethics, by reminding them that with integrity they will fulfill CUEA’s promise, which “Is to form students to be ethical leaders for Church and society.”
As the Council chair, Bishop Kariuku promised that “The University Council is dedicated to creating new infrastructure for learning and research as well as aligning its programs to the competency-based curriculum (CBC) in order to roll out a Competency-Based Education.”
This education he said, “is expected to stimulate creativity and innovation as envisioned by the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number four on ‘inclusive and equitable quality education’, and urged the management and the faculty “to embrace this new front of education to enable our graduates to contribute to the global social economic growth.”
