AMECEA/ CCC: “Catholic Church Has Always Been Mother to Needy Children,” Bishop Odiwa Appreciating Reintegration

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

In a bid to promote and create awareness on the significance of reuniting institutionalized children with their families and relatives, the Bishop of Kenya’s Catholic Diocese of Homa Bay has appreciated the idea and affirmed that the Church for decades has been a mother to the underprivileged in society.

Speaking to a team that visited the Diocese to carry out a pilot reintegration for a child who has been in a children’s home for nearly five years, Bishop Michael Otieno Odiwa said, “Even though the Church may seem to have not been part of the reintegration process, one thing is clear that the Church has not been left behind on this, and in her very nature, the Church has been and is still a mother, caring for needy situations in society.”

Additionally, the Bishop noted that the Catholic Church has been more than a partner in addressing social issues in society since she has a primary role in offering services to humanity.

The team whose aim was to carry out a situation analysis and pilot the reintegration, comprised of representatives from the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), the Association of Sisterhoods in Kenya, (AOSK) through the Catholic Care for Children (CCC), and Church stakeholders including the Parish priest of Macalder parish.

While appreciating that reintegration of children is a move that should be embraced to help children grow holistically, Bishop Odiwa who is currently the chairman of the Commission for Missions and Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) at the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) underscored that some private institutions exist for the sake of soliciting funds and to benefit themselves.

The Prelate foresees that the reintegration process may not sail smoothly for all children from the institution, since the process comes with challenges as well.

“Some children may not be accepted by their families or relatives especially children with disabilities,” Bishop Odiwa disclosed adding that the reintegration process is also costly and needs close monitoring to safeguard the challenges of registration.”

Besides, children with various needs may be denied their rights by relatives because of their disabilities yet they are to be cared for by family so that they get their rights, the Bishop said and confirmed that, “Amidst the various challenges in society and families, we will work in hope and prayer that all be well.”

He further acknowledged that the Diocese of Homa Bay had already involved the parishes with the task of working together with those responsible for institutions so that everybody can be involved and the process becomes a concerted responsibility.

He appreciated the team spearheading the reintegration process saying, “As a Diocese we are grateful to the entire team together with the donors for this great opportunity accorded us and for identifying the institution in our diocese for pilot reintegration. Thank you for meeting our people and for empowering them on child care reform, I trust this will strengthen our partnership.”