Recalling the Holy Father’s inauguration mass homily in which he decried what he described as ‘exporting spiritual toxic waste’ to Africa from the first world, the president of the Pontifical Council for the Family Cardinal Ennio Antonelli called on the African church leaders to be vigilant against ideologies spread by reproductive health centres and some media houses all aimed at the destruction and annihilation of the family.
He said that some international institutions and organisations pretend to advocate for the rights of women and children, but they have other hidden agenda in Africa.
Bishop Alfred Adewale Martins of Abeokuta in Nigeria said neo-Pentecostalists have invaded the continent and are busy luring the youth into joining them, away from the Catholic Church.
He appealed to the Church leaders in our continent to ensure that no one was ‘anonymous’ in the parishes and that all should feel belonging to the church.
Bishop Adewale said that there was need to create a ministry in each parish that attended to the concerns and needs of the young executives and professionals targeted by neo-pentecostal groups.
Africa, Land of saints
And Archbishop Angelo AMATO S.D.B, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints described Africa as a land of saints.
Recalling the heroism of the Martyrs of Uganda, the wisdom of St Augustine and the witnessing of St Giuseppina Bakhita and many others, all sons and daughters of our continent, Archbishop called on the church leaders to promote more heroic witnesses to the faith in Africa.
22 nations in Africa have 44 beatifications and canonizations in process, 13 Blesseds, 4 venerables and 27 servants of God, among them being Mwalimu Julius Kabarage Nyerere from Tanzania.
Meanwhile, the delegates attending the synod have written a letter of solidarity to the Archbishop and people of war torn region of Bukavu, a letter that was read out at the start of Thursday’s Synod sessions.
On Wednesday, this week, the Archbishop of Bukavu, DR Congo, Mons. Francois Xavier Maroy Rusengo had appealed for solidarity and support from the delegates for his wounded diocese.
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Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Stand up for prophetic mission, African church told
Bishop Louis Portella Mbuyu of Kinkala and Chairman of the Episcopal Conference of the
Addressing an audience of 244 Synod fathers this morning, the Ordinary cautioned that when overwhelmed by so many injustices and exploitations, the church might stop being moved by this and become used to it, no longer speak and thus abdicating her role as the "voice of those without voice".
Bishop Mbuyu said that the church could only offer this prophetic mission if she herself was a ‘reconciled community’.
He said that the church must always be the base where reconciliation is always present.
Meanwhile,
The Holy father will lead in this special prayer and be joined by various university students live via satelite on Saturday starting at 6pm Kenyan time.
Students from many universities, including the Catholic University of Eastern
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Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Archbishop recounts war atrocities in DR CONGO
Archbishop of Bukavu in the DRC Mons Francois Xavier Maroy Rusengo today gave a moving testimony of the effects of war in his archdiocese.
He spoke of the traumatic experiences of ravaging war and called on the synod fathers to come up with a message of solidarity with the wounded people of Bukavu.
He told the attentive audience of the burning of parishes, attack and kidnapping of priests and the heavy ransoms the diocese has had to pay to secure release of the priest.
He further asked for special attention to be given to the youth but establishment of joint recreational and cultural activities that would favour true reconciliation.
Environment destruction
From the West Africa, Bishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of
He called this a ‘reckless exploitation of the environment’ which would impact negatively on the African continent and threaten any meaningful prospects of peaceful living in the region.
The bishop denounced the destruction of environment in Africa, further calling the Church in
“The church must spearhead the fight against environmental degradation in order to ensure that the future generations live in an intact and healthy environment,” he said.
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Cardinal Walker: Fragmentation against Christian unity
Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity has expressed concern over the 'increasingly deepening fragmentation among Christians'.
Though not exclusively an African problem, he pointed out that it is historically entrenched in the continent through the legacy of the "divided Christianity that
He said that rapid growth of charismatic and Pentecostal churches has presented a new challenge to any meaningful dialogue due to what he termed as ‘their aggressive behaviour and low theological standards’.
“It is time the church in general and
Cardinal Walter challenged the Synod Fathers to engage in positive dialogue with other faiths in pursuit for unity, singling out strong Small Christian Communities as a basis for true and meaningful ecumenical dialogue.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa, Berhaneyesus Demerew SOURAPHIEL called on the Synod on Africa to address the root causes of human trafficking, the displaced persons and the abused domestic workers, refugees and migrants and to come up with "concrete positions and proposals to show to the world that African lives are sacred and not cheap" as the media may try to wrongly show.
He urged on the Holy See to appoint a permanent representative to the African Union (AU) whose headquarters are in
He suggested for a similar appointment from the Symposium for Episcopal Conferences in
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Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Cardinal Wamala decries ‘mild dictatorship’ in Africa
As the ongoing Synod gathered momentum in
Each member was given fives minutes to make a presentations to the over 250 delegates gathered in the hall who included Pope Benedict XVI who attentively followed all the interventions.
Polycarp Cardinal Pengo of
He saw greed, selfishness and ethnicity as the root causes to our many problems in
Focusing on the social context of our continent, Emanuel Cardinal Wamala, Archbishop Emeritus of
Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka of Umtata Diocese in
More sessions are underway with Cardinal John Njue later in the evening chairing the Commission for Information.
Orthodox Church Patriarch: "African is endowed"
The Patriarch of Orthodox Church in Ethiopia His Holiness Abuna Paulus (Pictured, right) described Africa as a land wealthy endowed with diversity of people and a rich cultural heritage to offer.
In his address to the Synod of Bishops for Africa that is going on in the Vatican, the Head of Orthodox Church in Ethiopia who attended the synod by invitation of the Catholic church appreciated the generosity of our continent as a land where refugees have always found a home with many including Jesus coming to our land, in search for hospitality.
The patriarch however lamented the brain drain of the people of Africa and the consequent continued dependency on the West economically, politically and socially.
On Justice, reconciliation and peace, which is the main theme of the Synodal meeting, Patriarch Abuna Paulus regretted the many civil wars fought on our Continent, while denouncing the use of child soldiers caught in the war of adults. He appealed to the church leaders to speak out in unity to oppose the use of child soldiers anywhere and everywhere in our continent.
“Work for Peace”
He urged all religious leaders to work for peace and to protect the natural resources.
Asking the religious leaders to exercise their particular responsibilities given to them by God, Patriarch Paulus asked all team up in curbing religious extremism in our land.
Pope Benedict XVI who was seated next to the patriarch during the address prayed that the churches should remain close and be a society of integrity and solidarity. He expressed gratitude to the Patriarch of Ethiopia for accepting the invitation to attend the Synod.
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Synod calls for permanent evangelization
By Fr. Martin Wanyoike, Vatican
The first official day of business begun at the
The Synod Fathers gathered in the synod hall had the opening prayers led by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI who later sat through the first sessions.
Archbishop Nikola ETEROVIC Secretary General of the Synod then read the opening speech in which he listed the numerous growth of the Church in
He hoped that the outcome of the Synod’s discussions would translate into initiatives of pastoral activities in evangelizations, human promotion, especially in reconciliation justice and peace.
And Cardinal Peter Kodwo. Appiah Turkson of
He explored various challenges facing the church today. “The church in
Family under attack
While addressing the press after the morning session, Card Turkson lamented the numerous attacks against the family in the continent and hoped that the synod would seek to strengthen this marriage institution.
The synod enters day 3 with more presentations and later the synod fathers going into discussion groups.
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Monday, October 5, 2009
SYnod Of Bishops Opens In ROME
By Fr. Martin Wanyoike, VaticanThe second special assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops was finally inaugurated at the St Peters Basilica by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in the presence of 239 Synod Fathers from all across the African continent.
Speaking at the inauguration mass animated by a Congolese Choir together with the Sistine Chapel choir, His Holiness Benedict XVI recalled with great nostalgia his recent experience in the African continent of a people with a great treasure of faith and resources. The pontiff saw Africa as a continent of faith and hope.
However, the Holy Father pointed saw materialism as an ailment in the west that is already infecting the people of Africa. He lamented that the first world had continued to ‘export’ spiritual toxic waste that continued to contaminate the people of our continent. He cited that while colonialism was over politically, it still continued to manifest itself in other areas in Africa.
The pontiff went on to warn of a new ‘virus’ that could hit Africa, namely religious fundamentalism, mixed with political and economic interests. He lamented the spread of this virus with people teaching and preaching not love and respect for freedom but intolerance and violence.
Appreciating the dynamism of faith in our continent, the Pope prayed that the church in Africa would always be a family of true disciples of Christ where the difference between the different ethnic groups becomes a reason for mutual human and spiritual enrichment. He said that though there is poverty, injustice, violence and wars in many countries in Africa, the Church in Africa can give a great contribution to the human family.
Entrusting the proceedings of the synod to the care of Our Lady of Africa, and to the African saints, and to the intercession of St Francis of Assisi whose feast day was observed on Sunday 4th October, 2009, (the inauguration day for the synod), the Holy Father formally inaugurated the special assembly.
The synod begins its sittings today on Monday 5th October, 2009.
The Kenyan delegation is led by His Eminence John Cardinal Njue and has Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth, Archbishop Boniface Lele, Archbishop Peter Kairu, Bishop Philip Sulumeti, and Bishop Martin Kivuva.
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Monday, September 14, 2009
Otunga’s Beatification: Cardinal Njue Appoints Postulator
Dated: September 06, 2009
Archdiocese of
The peace of Christ, the love of God the father and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. I write you on this day, the 6th anniversary of the death of the late Maurice Cardinal Otunga.
Your Shepherd
Archbishop of
JCN/ans
Cc – H.E. Alain Paul Lebeaupin
Apostolic Nuncio to
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Tuesday, September 8, 2009
“Let Us Save Our Nation!”
The Catholic Church in Kenya has singled out internal and external insecurity, environmental degradation, food insecurity, plight of the internally displaced persons, impunity and corruption as some of the most pressing issues that need redress to save the nation from further agony.
In a press statement delivered at Maria Polis Centre in Nairobi on September 8, 2009, His Grace Archbishop Zaccheus Okoth, the Bishop Chairman for the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) termed it as “worrying” the increased border conflicts between Kenya and her neighbours notably Somalia, Uganda, Sudan and Ethiopia, while internally, Kenyans “have become hostages” of insecurity.
“Organized violence has destroyed African identity. This is occurring through incitement, exploitation by the political elite and the inability by a majority in making a living from day to day, with about half the population living below the poverty line,” said the archbishop, adding that the government has responsibility to ensure all people living in the country are safe and secure.
On food security, while urging Kenyans to practise good farming methods, the bishop called on the government to empower farmers through subsidies. Likewise, he advised the government to pump water from water bodies to arid and semi arid areas for irrigation, while providing framework to ensure prices of basic food commodities are within reach of all Kenyans.
He urged the government to come up with a humane policy to resettle Kenyans living in the Mau forest and other water catchments and embark on re-forestation, while saying that the two years given for the Mau task force to oversee that persons living in Mau catchment moved out of the forest as time “too long”.
A complex of an estimated area of 273,300 Ha, Mau Forest in the Rift valley province is the largest water catchment area in Kenya. 25 percent of the forest has been illegally excised for human settlement (with many beneficiaries being high ranking officials and members of parliament in the current and past government).
The complex has been at the centre of controversy as section of political leaders from Rift valley are opposing efforts to remove the settlers till ‘all persons are compensated’, while the government has categorically indicated that only those with genuine title deeds for land less that 5 Ha will be compensated.
While urging the government to act on the plight of IDPs, the Archbishop Okoth said for meaningful reconciliation and healing, there must be restorative justice for the victims.
“There is no ‘either or’ debate. Kenya must have a special tribunal to deal with those who bear greatest responsibility for atrocities committed during the 2007/2008 Post-election violence (PEV), and the masterminds and financiers should go to the international Criminal Court,” said the Archbishop.
During the said violence, over 1000 Kenyans were killed while over 300,000 more were internally and externally displaced from their homes/ lands. Most of the IDPs are still in temporary camps, a year and half later.
The archbishop said transitional justice is only possible where accountability, truth recovery, institutional reforms and reparations are availed.
While commending the Kenyan cabinet for ratifying the national land policy, Archbishop Okoth urged the government to also implement fully recommendations from various Commissions (of inquiry) and task force committees, singling out Waki Report (on Commission of inquiry on Post election violence (CIPEV)), Kriegler report on 2007 elections, and Ndung’u report on Land issues.
Others include Ramsley report on Police reforms, and Akiwumi report on ethnic land clashes.
The Archbishop spoke against ‘continued wrong decisions made by (Kenyan) leadership without further reflections on the consequences on the citizenry of Kenya including extra-judicial killings, ad hoc creation of districts, looting of public coppers, land grabbing and rampant corruption’.
Archbishop Okoth said the CJPC is carrying out constitutional education for the public, while calling upon Kenyans to engage meaningfully in the process towards a just and democratic constitution.
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In a press statement delivered at Maria Polis Centre in Nairobi on September 8, 2009, His Grace Archbishop Zaccheus Okoth, the Bishop Chairman for the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) termed it as “worrying” the increased border conflicts between Kenya and her neighbours notably Somalia, Uganda, Sudan and Ethiopia, while internally, Kenyans “have become hostages” of insecurity.
“Organized violence has destroyed African identity. This is occurring through incitement, exploitation by the political elite and the inability by a majority in making a living from day to day, with about half the population living below the poverty line,” said the archbishop, adding that the government has responsibility to ensure all people living in the country are safe and secure.
On food security, while urging Kenyans to practise good farming methods, the bishop called on the government to empower farmers through subsidies. Likewise, he advised the government to pump water from water bodies to arid and semi arid areas for irrigation, while providing framework to ensure prices of basic food commodities are within reach of all Kenyans.
He urged the government to come up with a humane policy to resettle Kenyans living in the Mau forest and other water catchments and embark on re-forestation, while saying that the two years given for the Mau task force to oversee that persons living in Mau catchment moved out of the forest as time “too long”.
A complex of an estimated area of 273,300 Ha, Mau Forest in the Rift valley province is the largest water catchment area in Kenya. 25 percent of the forest has been illegally excised for human settlement (with many beneficiaries being high ranking officials and members of parliament in the current and past government).
The complex has been at the centre of controversy as section of political leaders from Rift valley are opposing efforts to remove the settlers till ‘all persons are compensated’, while the government has categorically indicated that only those with genuine title deeds for land less that 5 Ha will be compensated.
While urging the government to act on the plight of IDPs, the Archbishop Okoth said for meaningful reconciliation and healing, there must be restorative justice for the victims.
“There is no ‘either or’ debate. Kenya must have a special tribunal to deal with those who bear greatest responsibility for atrocities committed during the 2007/2008 Post-election violence (PEV), and the masterminds and financiers should go to the international Criminal Court,” said the Archbishop.
During the said violence, over 1000 Kenyans were killed while over 300,000 more were internally and externally displaced from their homes/ lands. Most of the IDPs are still in temporary camps, a year and half later.
The archbishop said transitional justice is only possible where accountability, truth recovery, institutional reforms and reparations are availed.
While commending the Kenyan cabinet for ratifying the national land policy, Archbishop Okoth urged the government to also implement fully recommendations from various Commissions (of inquiry) and task force committees, singling out Waki Report (on Commission of inquiry on Post election violence (CIPEV)), Kriegler report on 2007 elections, and Ndung’u report on Land issues.
Others include Ramsley report on Police reforms, and Akiwumi report on ethnic land clashes.
The Archbishop spoke against ‘continued wrong decisions made by (Kenyan) leadership without further reflections on the consequences on the citizenry of Kenya including extra-judicial killings, ad hoc creation of districts, looting of public coppers, land grabbing and rampant corruption’.
Archbishop Okoth said the CJPC is carrying out constitutional education for the public, while calling upon Kenyans to engage meaningfully in the process towards a just and democratic constitution.
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Thursday, August 27, 2009
University Don: Genuine Reforms Key to Lasting Peace
It is only through long-term reforms that Kenya will address the deep-rooted causes of conflicts, a university don has said.
Dr. Robert Mudida, a lecture at the Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies, University of Nairobi singled out comprehensive constitutional review as the main way to address most of the underlying concerns in the country.
Addressing a workshop of the superiors of 64 religious Orders based in Kenya but working all over Eastern Africa in Nairobi on Wednesday, August 26, 2009, Dr. Mudida expressed fear that unless institutions of governance are strengthened, Kenya faces a threat of sliding back into much worse crisis than that bedeviled the country early in 2008.
“ We know what problems are, and what are the solutions, but the issue is in the implementation, and that is why we should continue with the pressure over the political class,” he said.
The two-day workshop held from August 25, 2009, was aimed at establishing Shalom Centre for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation (SCCRR), a Religious Superiors Conference of Kenya (RSCK) initiative geared towards assisting in conflict resolution and reconciliation processes in Kenya, according to the RSCK Chairman Fr. Patrick Devine, SMA, who is also one of the three directors of SCCRR.
A concept paper on the initiative has it that the center will concentrate its activities at the grass root to effectively consolidate peace and promote healing among different warring communities.
Conflict still needs to be followed up by the processes of reconciliation among parties so that peace can endure, the paper states.
Dr. Mudida, also another SCCRR director illustrated the role of the church in the initiative: “The church is very influential at the grass root and therefore holds a vital role in the reconciliation process in this country. For true reconciliation, there must be truth, mercy, justice and peace, and the role of church in this need not to be emphasized.”
SCCRR has been a resultant of the a need to find resolutions to recurrent conflicts among the pastoral communities, especially in Northern Kenya, as well as the traumatic experiences after the 2008 post election violence in the country.
Bishop Patrick Harrington of Lodwar diocese (inhabited by Turkanas), which experiences major conflicts among the pastoral communities as a result of cattle rustling and competition for resources including livestock food and water reservoirs, expressed support for SCCRR initiative, saying there is need to seek to understand root causes of the conflicts and possess the necessary skills to resolve then in order to yield true peace.
“This is especially true when people are being killed on daily basis, maimed and displaced while schools and hospitals are made inoperable,” he said.
And at a remote and conflict prone Turkwel parish in Lodwar Diocese, Fr. Oliver Noonan said that Gospel and its values regarding peace; justice, development and integrity of creation cannot take root in such conflicting environment.
“We would be very open to spend quality time in looking at such conflicts in Turkana. I wish to support all the efforts that can be made in such valuable and vital work by the “Shalom Centre” (SCCRR). We offer our utmost encouragement and collaboration,” he said.
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
Participate In Census, Church Tells Citizenry
The Catholic Church has thrown its weight behind the coming count on the Kenyan population to be held on the night of August 24, this year.
However, His Eminence John Cardinal Njue, the chairman of the Kenya Episcopal Conference cautions that the government must address the fears that have tagged the coming exercise.
In a signed statement, the church encourages all Kenyans to participate in the process.
"As Kenyan citizens we have rights and responsibilities to ensure we contribute to the common good of our country. This process is a necessary/prerequisite to an objective process of assignment of resources.
“The census is not an end in itself but a means of ensuring social and economic justice. It is important for good planning and delivery of services by the Government and other stake holders,” Cardinal Njue said in the statement.
Some people have expressed concerns over design of the questionnaires to be used to gather information during the count. Of concern are questions touching on ethnic background of the respondents, with some interest groups demanding exclusion of such questions. Other groups have threatened not to participate in the exercise citing lack of government’s response to their plights. In this category are Internally displaced persons as a result of the post-election violence in 2008.
“The Government should seriously address these fears as they are legitimate in our day and time,” said the cardinal.
Security issue has also cropped up dominantly especially during the exercise.
Cardinal Njue proposed that Census officials have clear identification and the Government should give practical assurance of security. It is not enough to promise police patrols as this has failed Kenyans in the past. “There must be practical and real signs of security, especially in these times of power rationing and black outs,” he said.
Currently, Kenya is undergoing power rationing as a result of drying rivers, which the country depends on its hydropower generation.
The government has said that the Enumerators will be in red T-shirts, with specific identification, and in company of officials from the provincial administration, including the village elders whom local people can easily identify, with police being on the ground to provide security, in the case of metropolitan centers such as Nairobi.
At the same time, the Cardinal appealed to Kenyans to see the collection of information such as on ethnicity or religion as a celebration of our beauty in diversity. “This should help to make us realize that the details are fundamental to data and equitable attention in planning,” he said.
As a way to build confidence with the questionnaire design, the government has made it optional for one to give out details of his/ her ethnic background during the census.
The government has moved in to dissuade misinformation arising from the exercise through massive media campaign, including use of paid adverts
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Archbishop Mayala Rests in Peace
Archbishop Anthony Mayala of the Archdiocese of Mwanza,
According to the Very Rev. Fr. Pius Rutechura, the Secretary General for the Association of member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA), Archbishop Mayala passed away on
“Actually, these news are coming too fast, for as early as yesterday, the archbishop spent the day in his office and was healthy,” said Fr. Rutechura.
The Secretary General could not immediately confirm the cause of the death, though he said the late bishop was suffering from hypertension.
The late former board member of the Catholic University of Eastern
Fr. Rutechura, who, as the Secretary General of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference, worked with the deceased for six years described the late archbishop as ‘fatherly, caring, and strong believer of unity and togetherness’.
The burial plans are yet to be made.
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Friday, August 14, 2009
World's Oldest Student Passes Away
Kimani Ng’ang’a Maruge, the oldest student in the world, is dead.
Kimani, 89, who was baptized on 24 May, 2009 during the celebration of the World Communications day at Kariobangi Holy Trinity parish in Nairobi, taking “Stephen” as his patron saint, passed away at noon on friday August 14, 2009, according to his Parish Priest, Fr. Paulino Mondo.
Stephen Kimani’s determination to get education despite his advanced age won him accolades world over when he enrolled for primary education in 2004, aged at 84 when Kenyan government introduced the free primary education in the country, a feat that made him claim his place in history and the Guiness book of records, as the oldest student.
He had declared that one of his reasons for going back to class was to learn how to read bible.
His education was briefly disrupted by the post election violence that rocked Kenya in December 2007/ January 2008, rendering him an internally displaced person, with the church coming to his rescue when he was relocated from violence hit Eldoret town in Rift Valley to Nairobi, where he enrolled at Marura primary school in Kariobangi, while being sheltered at the nearby church owned Cheshire home for the vulnerable persons.
According to Fr. Paulino, Mzee Stephen Maruge was suffering from stomach cancer.
Kimani, 89, who was baptized on 24 May, 2009 during the celebration of the World Communications day at Kariobangi Holy Trinity parish in Nairobi, taking “Stephen” as his patron saint, passed away at noon on friday August 14, 2009, according to his Parish Priest, Fr. Paulino Mondo.
Stephen Kimani’s determination to get education despite his advanced age won him accolades world over when he enrolled for primary education in 2004, aged at 84 when Kenyan government introduced the free primary education in the country, a feat that made him claim his place in history and the Guiness book of records, as the oldest student.
He had declared that one of his reasons for going back to class was to learn how to read bible.
His education was briefly disrupted by the post election violence that rocked Kenya in December 2007/ January 2008, rendering him an internally displaced person, with the church coming to his rescue when he was relocated from violence hit Eldoret town in Rift Valley to Nairobi, where he enrolled at Marura primary school in Kariobangi, while being sheltered at the nearby church owned Cheshire home for the vulnerable persons.
According to Fr. Paulino, Mzee Stephen Maruge was suffering from stomach cancer.
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Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Church Hails President’s Directive on Death-row Sentences
Kenyan Government took one step closer to what many see as doing away with death penalty after President Mwai Kibaki ordered all the current sentences for 4000 death-row inmates in Kenya prisons be commuted to life imprisonment.
However the president was categorical that this did not abolish the death penalty as a punishment for capital offense.
A statement released by the Presidential Press Service (PPS) on Monday 3rd August, 2009 stated that: “In exercise of powers conferred upon him by the Constitution sections 27 (C) and 29 (2) President Kibaki, upon the advice of the Constitutional Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, said that the decision was necessitated upon consideration of many prevailing facts”
President Kibaki said that by commuting these sentences to life imprisonment, the affected inmates will be able to work. As per law, those sentence to be executed are not supposed to work, and are usually secluded, under 24 hour watch from prison authorities.
According to the President, this led to idleness, which in turn affected discipline in prisons. It also impacted on the prisoners' mental health.
Since 1987, no inmate under death penalty has been executed.
This announcement by the government has been lauded by the Catholic Church in Kenya and other human rights activists as a ‘step in the right direction towards abolishing death penalty from our statutes’.
Even more heartening is a direction from the President that the government is to assess whether the punishment was having any impact on the fight against crime.
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However the president was categorical that this did not abolish the death penalty as a punishment for capital offense.
A statement released by the Presidential Press Service (PPS) on Monday 3rd August, 2009 stated that: “In exercise of powers conferred upon him by the Constitution sections 27 (C) and 29 (2) President Kibaki, upon the advice of the Constitutional Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, said that the decision was necessitated upon consideration of many prevailing facts”
President Kibaki said that by commuting these sentences to life imprisonment, the affected inmates will be able to work. As per law, those sentence to be executed are not supposed to work, and are usually secluded, under 24 hour watch from prison authorities.
According to the President, this led to idleness, which in turn affected discipline in prisons. It also impacted on the prisoners' mental health.
Since 1987, no inmate under death penalty has been executed.
This announcement by the government has been lauded by the Catholic Church in Kenya and other human rights activists as a ‘step in the right direction towards abolishing death penalty from our statutes’.
Even more heartening is a direction from the President that the government is to assess whether the punishment was having any impact on the fight against crime.
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Monday, August 3, 2009
Cardinal Njue Now Okays Charismatic Group Activities
The movement to undertake its activities under supervision from Parish Priests
His Eminence John Cardinal Njue, the Archbishop of Archdiocese of Nairobi has given a nod for the charismatic movement in the archdiocese to continue with its activities, but under the supervision from the parish priests.
Lifting a suspension imposed on the movement in February, on Friday July 31st, 2009, Cardinal Njue termed some of its activities as more protestant than catholic.
During the Pentecost Sunday Mass this year, as he clarified the purpose of ‘putting on hold’ the charismatic movement’s activities in the archdiocese of Nairobi in February, the Cardinal had said that ecclesial movements (such as Charismatic movement) even if approved by the Holy Father must operate under the close eye of the ordinary under whose jurisdiction they are operating.
“There are some areas that I must say, need keeping, and I needed to look into that,” he had said, adding that Catholic Church has structures of doing things, which must be respected.“As the shepherd here, if there are some activities that are contrary to the doctrine of the church, I have the right to stop that. There are some things that I can not just say ‘it does not matter’. That is why I told them to hold on,” he said, stressing that these movements are meant to be instruments to deepen faith of the faithful and not to destroy it.
Following the lifting of the suspension, the leaders of the movement present during the Friday July 31st meeting promised to work under the guidelines specified by the cardinal.
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His Eminence John Cardinal Njue, the Archbishop of Archdiocese of Nairobi has given a nod for the charismatic movement in the archdiocese to continue with its activities, but under the supervision from the parish priests.Lifting a suspension imposed on the movement in February, on Friday July 31st, 2009, Cardinal Njue termed some of its activities as more protestant than catholic.
During the Pentecost Sunday Mass this year, as he clarified the purpose of ‘putting on hold’ the charismatic movement’s activities in the archdiocese of Nairobi in February, the Cardinal had said that ecclesial movements (such as Charismatic movement) even if approved by the Holy Father must operate under the close eye of the ordinary under whose jurisdiction they are operating.
“There are some areas that I must say, need keeping, and I needed to look into that,” he had said, adding that Catholic Church has structures of doing things, which must be respected.“As the shepherd here, if there are some activities that are contrary to the doctrine of the church, I have the right to stop that. There are some things that I can not just say ‘it does not matter’. That is why I told them to hold on,” he said, stressing that these movements are meant to be instruments to deepen faith of the faithful and not to destroy it.
Following the lifting of the suspension, the leaders of the movement present during the Friday July 31st meeting promised to work under the guidelines specified by the cardinal.
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Bishop Schilder Retires as Ordinary of Ngong Diocese
Cardinal Njue appointed the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Rt. Rev. Cornelius Schilder (Pictured) as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ngong.
According to a statement released by Fr. Martin Wanyoike, the Communications Secretary at the Kenya Episcopal Conference- Catholic Secretariat, the Apostolic Nunciature in Nairobi communicated on August 1st, 2009 (1300 hours, Kenyan time) that the holy Father also appointed His Eminence John Cardinal Njue, the archbishop of Nairobi, as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese as from August 1st.
Bishop Schilder, 68, who has recently suffered from poor health, the grounds that necessitated his request to the Holy Father to release him from his duties, has been the shepherd for Ngong diocese since November 6, 2002.
He was ordained priest in 1968.
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His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Rt. Rev. Cornelius Schilder (Pictured) as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ngong.According to a statement released by Fr. Martin Wanyoike, the Communications Secretary at the Kenya Episcopal Conference- Catholic Secretariat, the Apostolic Nunciature in Nairobi communicated on August 1st, 2009 (1300 hours, Kenyan time) that the holy Father also appointed His Eminence John Cardinal Njue, the archbishop of Nairobi, as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese as from August 1st.
Bishop Schilder, 68, who has recently suffered from poor health, the grounds that necessitated his request to the Holy Father to release him from his duties, has been the shepherd for Ngong diocese since November 6, 2002.
He was ordained priest in 1968.
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Monday, July 27, 2009
Embu Diocese’s Third Bishop Ordained
I am good shepherd for you and for all, he declares
On a raised, meticulously decorated altar, in front of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Embu diocese, His Excellency Archbishop Alain Paul Lebeaupin and several bishops joined thousands of faithful, including the clergy, religious, political and civic leaders, as well as faithful from other mainstream churches to witness as the Diocese got its third shepherd.
This was during a beautifully animated ordination Mass on July 25, 2009.
His Lordship Bishop Paul Njiru Kariuki became the third Bishop of Embu, with a double joy of being ordained and installed to the seat by the first Bishop of the very same diocese, His eminence John Cardinal Njue.
And the new shepherd declared that his primary goal is to ‘lead all souls to Christ, at whatever price’.
The Papal ‘Bull’, an official decree from Vatican that appointed and granted permission for the new Bishop to be ordained was read in Latin, English and finally in Ki-Embu, the local dialect to thunderous applause of the congregation.
“By the virtue of our supreme apostolic power, we appoint you the Bishop of the diocese of Embu. We further decree that you be ordained by a catholic Bishop outside the diocese of Rome according to the canonically authorised liturgy of the church,” read the ‘Bull’ that was released on May 9th, 2009, before concluding: “ May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy queen of Africa help you from Heaven, together with the faithful of this Diocese.”
Cardinal Njue, who presided over the ordination/ installation helped by the former Bishop and apostolic Administrator of the Diocese, Bishop Anthony Muheria of Kitui, and Archbishop Peter Kairo of Archdiocese of Nyeri, implored the faithful, clergy and religious of the diocese to support the new Bishop.
“He is going to be the custodian of the precious gift, the gift of faith that we received from our predecessors, the apostles. Let all church groups and genuine associations, and I repeat, genuine associations grow together with the new Bishop to be living stones of faith.
And to the new Bishop, Cardinal advised: “People of Embu will be looking at you as a point of reference. Give them the right direction to fulfil their call to holiness.”
His Excellency Alain Paul Lebeaupin, the apostolic Nuncio to Kenya described the ordination as ‘a huge responsibility bestowed and a great feast of the entire catholic church which is Universal’.
“On behalf of the Holy father, I want to thank you all, especially the priests for keeping the unity as you waited for the new Bishop,” he said, adding that this showed great communion in the church.
“You now have two bright sons from this diocese, the Cardinal and the new Bishop, and this means more responsibility,” said the Nuncio.
“This means to be open to all and help, to live the truth of the Gospel and express the love of our Lord to our brothers and sisters,” he said, adding: “God bless you, don’t be afraid, go out and help!”
The Nuncio reiterated the importance of church unity. “You are not a catholic If you are not in communion with the successor of Peter,” he said.
In front of the multitude, the new Bishop revealed his Episcopate motto as “I am the good shepherd for you and for all”.
He conceded that his appointment came as a surprise, as he had ‘never dreamt of such office of this calibre in our Catholic church’.
“I was happy in my humble duty to form the young people whom the Lord had called, but our Lord has decided to add another cross on my humble vocation. Therefore, in my humility, I come to you with no other greatness other than the ministry of the Gospel,” said Bishop Paul Kariuki.
“I appeal to you, pray for me, love me, listen to me and work with me, for united we stand, divided we fall. I will not fail to raise my voice for the voiceless,” he said
On ecumenism, he promised to work closely with ‘my brothers and sisters from other faiths’.
Before cutting the ordination cake, he executed his very first duty upon assuming the office: “I appoint Very Rev. Father Patrick Njiru as the Vicar-General of the diocese, with immediate effect.”
Prior to this appointment, the 46 year bishop was an acting Rector, and formator at the Christ the King Seminary, Nyeri. He holds a baccalaureate, licentiate and doctorate in Sacred Theology.
He becomes the third bishop for Embu Diocese since it was curved from Meru diocese in 1986. The first bishop is the current archbishop of Nairobi, His Eminence John cardinal Njue, with the second Bishop being Anthony Muheria, currently of Kitui Diocese.
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On a raised, meticulously decorated altar, in front of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Embu diocese, His Excellency Archbishop Alain Paul Lebeaupin and several bishops joined thousands of faithful, including the clergy, religious, political and civic leaders, as well as faithful from other mainstream churches to witness as the Diocese got its third shepherd.This was during a beautifully animated ordination Mass on July 25, 2009.
His Lordship Bishop Paul Njiru Kariuki became the third Bishop of Embu, with a double joy of being ordained and installed to the seat by the first Bishop of the very same diocese, His eminence John Cardinal Njue.
And the new shepherd declared that his primary goal is to ‘lead all souls to Christ, at whatever price’.
The Papal ‘Bull’, an official decree from Vatican that appointed and granted permission for the new Bishop to be ordained was read in Latin, English and finally in Ki-Embu, the local dialect to thunderous applause of the congregation.
“By the virtue of our supreme apostolic power, we appoint you the Bishop of the diocese of Embu. We further decree that you be ordained by a catholic Bishop outside the diocese of Rome according to the canonically authorised liturgy of the church,” read the ‘Bull’ that was released on May 9th, 2009, before concluding: “ May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy queen of Africa help you from Heaven, together with the faithful of this Diocese.”
Cardinal Njue, who presided over the ordination/ installation helped by the former Bishop and apostolic Administrator of the Diocese, Bishop Anthony Muheria of Kitui, and Archbishop Peter Kairo of Archdiocese of Nyeri, implored the faithful, clergy and religious of the diocese to support the new Bishop.
“He is going to be the custodian of the precious gift, the gift of faith that we received from our predecessors, the apostles. Let all church groups and genuine associations, and I repeat, genuine associations grow together with the new Bishop to be living stones of faith.
And to the new Bishop, Cardinal advised: “People of Embu will be looking at you as a point of reference. Give them the right direction to fulfil their call to holiness.”
His Excellency Alain Paul Lebeaupin, the apostolic Nuncio to Kenya described the ordination as ‘a huge responsibility bestowed and a great feast of the entire catholic church which is Universal’.
“On behalf of the Holy father, I want to thank you all, especially the priests for keeping the unity as you waited for the new Bishop,” he said, adding that this showed great communion in the church.
“You now have two bright sons from this diocese, the Cardinal and the new Bishop, and this means more responsibility,” said the Nuncio.
“This means to be open to all and help, to live the truth of the Gospel and express the love of our Lord to our brothers and sisters,” he said, adding: “God bless you, don’t be afraid, go out and help!”
The Nuncio reiterated the importance of church unity. “You are not a catholic If you are not in communion with the successor of Peter,” he said.
In front of the multitude, the new Bishop revealed his Episcopate motto as “I am the good shepherd for you and for all”.
He conceded that his appointment came as a surprise, as he had ‘never dreamt of such office of this calibre in our Catholic church’.
“I was happy in my humble duty to form the young people whom the Lord had called, but our Lord has decided to add another cross on my humble vocation. Therefore, in my humility, I come to you with no other greatness other than the ministry of the Gospel,” said Bishop Paul Kariuki.
“I appeal to you, pray for me, love me, listen to me and work with me, for united we stand, divided we fall. I will not fail to raise my voice for the voiceless,” he said
On ecumenism, he promised to work closely with ‘my brothers and sisters from other faiths’.
Before cutting the ordination cake, he executed his very first duty upon assuming the office: “I appoint Very Rev. Father Patrick Njiru as the Vicar-General of the diocese, with immediate effect.”
Prior to this appointment, the 46 year bishop was an acting Rector, and formator at the Christ the King Seminary, Nyeri. He holds a baccalaureate, licentiate and doctorate in Sacred Theology.
He becomes the third bishop for Embu Diocese since it was curved from Meru diocese in 1986. The first bishop is the current archbishop of Nairobi, His Eminence John cardinal Njue, with the second Bishop being Anthony Muheria, currently of Kitui Diocese.
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Thursday, July 9, 2009
MOU on Health: Government and Religious Organizations Partner
The Kenyan government will now subsidize efforts by Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) in providing health care to Kenyans.
This comes after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on July 9, 2009 between the government and FBOs representatives, including Kenya Episcopal Conference (KEC); Supreme council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), and Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK), at the government’s Ministry of Health offices, Nairobi.
“With signing of this MoU, we now have a partnership framework that will enable government subsidize efforts of our partners,” said Prof. James Ole Kiyiapi, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Medical Services.
The PS praised FBOs for operating health care facilities in remotest areas where public health services are inaccessible or inexistent.
Our job now is to make it easier for our partners, he said.
His Eminence, John Cardinal Njue, who is the chairman of KEC termed the MoU as ‘unique, an initiative to carry on the healing ministry’.
“It is our hope that this will be continued to enable proper services to our people as government and FBOs,” he said.
And Prof Abdulghafur El-Busaidy of SUPKEM said the partnership is a sign the ‘we are focused to make it easier for our people to access health services’.
The MoU was a culmination of efforts between government and the religious organizations to partner in health care that were initiated back in 2004.
While acknowledging that the government has limited resources, Prof Ole Kiyiapi said that the government is adopting an open door policy approach.
“We can complement each other, rather than compete. Instead of waiting until that time when the government will have enough money to provide health care for all, let us look at how effective can we utilize the available resources,” he said.
Such resources will include human resource, drugs and equipment. Prior to this MoU Government has been subsidizing health care in F BO owned health facilities as per specific requests, which have since dwindled due to poor economic growth.
Currently, there are 600 FBO dispensaries in the country that whose drugs supply is subsidized by the government through its Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA). Of these, 250 are Catholic owned dispensaries.
Also, as per MoU, government will, for instance, no longer be posting nurses and doctors to FBO facilities direct, but through the respective FBOs’ Secretariats.
At the same time, Prof Ole Kiyiapi revealed that government will be employing 4,200 nurses of temporary contract basis in the current government’s financial year (2009/2010).
This is meant to assuage a deficit of 18,000 nurses needed in the country. There are 17,000 nurses in the government’s payroll currently. This is part of human resource that is expected to be shared between the partners in the MoU.
According to Dr. Robert Ayisi, the National Executive Secretary in the KEC’s Catholic Commission for Health of Kenya, the Catholic Church provides 30% of all health care services in the Kenya.
Our website: http://www.kec.or.ke/
Blog: Cananews
This comes after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on July 9, 2009 between the government and FBOs representatives, including Kenya Episcopal Conference (KEC); Supreme council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), and Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK), at the government’s Ministry of Health offices, Nairobi.
“With signing of this MoU, we now have a partnership framework that will enable government subsidize efforts of our partners,” said Prof. James Ole Kiyiapi, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Medical Services.
The PS praised FBOs for operating health care facilities in remotest areas where public health services are inaccessible or inexistent.
Our job now is to make it easier for our partners, he said.
His Eminence, John Cardinal Njue, who is the chairman of KEC termed the MoU as ‘unique, an initiative to carry on the healing ministry’.
“It is our hope that this will be continued to enable proper services to our people as government and FBOs,” he said.
And Prof Abdulghafur El-Busaidy of SUPKEM said the partnership is a sign the ‘we are focused to make it easier for our people to access health services’.
The MoU was a culmination of efforts between government and the religious organizations to partner in health care that were initiated back in 2004.
While acknowledging that the government has limited resources, Prof Ole Kiyiapi said that the government is adopting an open door policy approach.
“We can complement each other, rather than compete. Instead of waiting until that time when the government will have enough money to provide health care for all, let us look at how effective can we utilize the available resources,” he said.
Such resources will include human resource, drugs and equipment. Prior to this MoU Government has been subsidizing health care in F BO owned health facilities as per specific requests, which have since dwindled due to poor economic growth.
Currently, there are 600 FBO dispensaries in the country that whose drugs supply is subsidized by the government through its Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA). Of these, 250 are Catholic owned dispensaries.
Also, as per MoU, government will, for instance, no longer be posting nurses and doctors to FBO facilities direct, but through the respective FBOs’ Secretariats.
At the same time, Prof Ole Kiyiapi revealed that government will be employing 4,200 nurses of temporary contract basis in the current government’s financial year (2009/2010).
This is meant to assuage a deficit of 18,000 nurses needed in the country. There are 17,000 nurses in the government’s payroll currently. This is part of human resource that is expected to be shared between the partners in the MoU.
According to Dr. Robert Ayisi, the National Executive Secretary in the KEC’s Catholic Commission for Health of Kenya, the Catholic Church provides 30% of all health care services in the Kenya.
Our website: http://www.kec.or.ke/
Blog: Cananews
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Murang'a Diocese, Here's Your Bishop!
Bishop James Maria Wainaina Kung’u was finally ordained and installed as the third Bishop of Murang’a on June 27th, 2009, during a celebration that was witnessed by His Excellency Archbishop Alain Paul Lebeaupin, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Bishops, clergy and religious, among thousands of faithful.
The celebration that was led by His eminence John cardinal Njue, co-assisted by Archbishop Peter Kairo (Archdiocese of Nyeri) and Bishop Luigi Paiaro (Diocese of Nyahururu) was held at Murang’a Cathedral compound.
“People of Murang’a, rejoice, for this is the day the Lord has made,” said Cardinal Njue, as Murang’a received its shepherd.
The new Bishop was optimistic that the church will remain united. “It is for this reason that I have chosen my motto to be ‘united in Love’,” said Bishop Wainaina, as he unveiled his Episcopal logo.
At the same time, he adopted the name ‘Maria’. “Mother Mary has a very special place in my life, and to day I wish to add the name ‘Maria’ in my names, so I will be ‘Bishop James Maria Wainaina Kung’u’,” he said.
On the church unity, the Apostolic Nuncio was candid: “You are not appointed Bishop because you are supposed to be appointed, this is a special gift of the Holy Spirit to serve people of God. Many people wanted me to speak last week and I did not, but now I am speaking. Church is one and united.” He was referring to some priests who have defected from the church communion after going back against the church’s doctrine of celibacy, hence incurring excommunication.
He urged the priests to remain steadfast in their vocation.
Raila Odinga, Kenya’s Prime minister reiterated that the government will continue to partner with the Catholic Church to improve the welfare of the people. “You have done very good work in improving the living conditions of people. Church has always been the guide for moral values in our society,” he said.
And President Kibaki challenged the church to keep on positively critiquing the government to ensure that it remains focused to deliver services to people.
The Nuncio termed it as a move in the positive direction that the Prime Minister and the president are united in the coalition government. “This is the way to go,” he said.
President Kibaki urged Kenyans to engage in worthy socio-economic activities that will bring about self-sufficiency in the society, reducing behaviours that may bring about security threats. He was referring to Mungiki sect that has been terrorizing citizens in central Kenya, which is thought to have its origins in the area.
Bishop James Maria Wainaina Kung’u becomes the third bishop of Murang’a after Archbishop Peter Kairo and Bishop Peter Kihara. His eminence John Cardinal Njue was the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese for two years before Bishop Wainaina was ordained and installed.
KEC website: http://www.kec.or.ke/
Blog (Home): Cananews Blog
The celebration that was led by His eminence John cardinal Njue, co-assisted by Archbishop Peter Kairo (Archdiocese of Nyeri) and Bishop Luigi Paiaro (Diocese of Nyahururu) was held at Murang’a Cathedral compound.
“People of Murang’a, rejoice, for this is the day the Lord has made,” said Cardinal Njue, as Murang’a received its shepherd.
The new Bishop was optimistic that the church will remain united. “It is for this reason that I have chosen my motto to be ‘united in Love’,” said Bishop Wainaina, as he unveiled his Episcopal logo.
At the same time, he adopted the name ‘Maria’. “Mother Mary has a very special place in my life, and to day I wish to add the name ‘Maria’ in my names, so I will be ‘Bishop James Maria Wainaina Kung’u’,” he said.
On the church unity, the Apostolic Nuncio was candid: “You are not appointed Bishop because you are supposed to be appointed, this is a special gift of the Holy Spirit to serve people of God. Many people wanted me to speak last week and I did not, but now I am speaking. Church is one and united.” He was referring to some priests who have defected from the church communion after going back against the church’s doctrine of celibacy, hence incurring excommunication.
He urged the priests to remain steadfast in their vocation.
Raila Odinga, Kenya’s Prime minister reiterated that the government will continue to partner with the Catholic Church to improve the welfare of the people. “You have done very good work in improving the living conditions of people. Church has always been the guide for moral values in our society,” he said.
And President Kibaki challenged the church to keep on positively critiquing the government to ensure that it remains focused to deliver services to people.
The Nuncio termed it as a move in the positive direction that the Prime Minister and the president are united in the coalition government. “This is the way to go,” he said.
President Kibaki urged Kenyans to engage in worthy socio-economic activities that will bring about self-sufficiency in the society, reducing behaviours that may bring about security threats. He was referring to Mungiki sect that has been terrorizing citizens in central Kenya, which is thought to have its origins in the area.
Bishop James Maria Wainaina Kung’u becomes the third bishop of Murang’a after Archbishop Peter Kairo and Bishop Peter Kihara. His eminence John Cardinal Njue was the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese for two years before Bishop Wainaina was ordained and installed.
KEC website: http://www.kec.or.ke/
Blog (Home): Cananews Blog
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