BISHOPS: Kenya Needs New Constitution

The current Kenyan constitution is not serving the common person’s interests, and hence, there is urgency in putting up a new one.

Kenya Episcopal conference bishops who met in Nairobi on November 10-11, 2009, to familiarize themselves with the new constitution draft document, which is expected to be published in few days’ time, also said that the current constitution is hindering transparency and accountability of the political leadership to the public.

The Bishops had met with the Constitutional experts to understand more the contents of the said draft.

At the same sitting, the Kenya’s Bishop’s delegation that represented the country during the just concluded Second Synod for Africa in the Vatican, updated the Ordinaries of the deliberations of the synod.

Our website: www.kec.or.ke
Blog's home page: CANANews

Constitution for Anglican 'Catholics' Published

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has issued an Apostolic Constitution on the establishment of the Personal Ordinariates for the Anglicans wishing to join the Catholic church.

The Constitution, Anglicanorum Coetibus, which was published on November 9, 2009, introduces a canonical structure that provides for the corporate reunion by establishing Personal Ordinariates, which will allow the Anglican groups to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of distinctive Anglican Spiritual and liturgical patrimony.

According to a press release from the Apostolic Nunciature in Kenya, also published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is publishing a set of complementary Norms which will guide the implementation of the new provision responding to the many requests that have been submitted to the Holy See from groups of Anglican clergy and faithful in different parts of the world wishing to join the Catholic Church, that was announced by Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, on October 20, 2009.

The Constitution opens a new avenue for the promotion of Christian unity while, at the same time, granting legitimate diversity in the expression of our common faith, affirmed the statement, adding that the provision of this new structure is consistent with the commitment to ecumenical dialogue, which continues to be a priority for the Catholic Church.

However, the Apostolic Constitution does not change or alter the church law on celibacy for Catholic priests

“The possibility envisioned by the Apostolic Constitution for some married clergy within the personal Ordinariates does not signify any change in the Church’s discipline of clerical celibacy,” stated the Holy father's press statement.

According to the Second Vatican Council, priestly celibacy is a sign and a stimulus for the pastoral charity and radiantly proclaims the reign of God (Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1579)

Our website:www.kec.or.ke
Blog's home page: CANAnews

Malindi Diocese gets an Apostolic Administrator

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed his Lordship, Rt. Rev. Paul Darmanin (pictured, left), as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Malindi.

According to a communiqué dated November 3, 2009, and signed by Monsignor janusz Urbancysk, the Charge d’ Affaires at the Apostolic Nunciature in Kenya, Bishop Darmanin will administrate the diocese till new bishop is appointed and installed.

The communiqué read: “I have the honour to forward to you the original Decree sent by the congregation for the Evangelisation of peoples, by which your Lordship is appointed the Apostolic Administrator of the vacant See of Malindi up to the date of installation of the new Bishop.”

The seat was left vacant following the death of Bishop Francis Baldacchino, on October 10, 2009, while undergoing medical treatment in Malta, his country of Birth, where he was buried on October 14, 2009.

Bishop Darmanin is the Bishop of Diocese of Garissa.

Our website:www.kec.or.ke
Blog's Home page: Cananews

Synod's Kenyan Delegation visits with Kenyans in Rome

Kenyan delegation to the just concluded Second Synod for Africa, led by Cardinal John Njue had the opportunity to meet with the Kenyan community living in Rome.

At a dinner hosted on Saturday evening by Her Excellency Anne Belinda Nyikuli, Kenyan Ambassador to Italy at her residence in EUR, Cardinal Njue appreciated the good work done by the Ambassador and her staff in Italy and for the hospitality accorded the Kenyan delegation during the Synod.

Welcoming the delegation to her residence, her Excellency the Ambassador thanked and praised the catholic leadership in Kenya and prayed for more guidance in their leadership for the people in our country.

On Sunday after the formal closure of the Synod, the Cardinal led the Kenyan delegates to meet over 100 Priests, Religious men and women and laity at St. Peter’s College.

Fr. Jack Wainaina, chairman of the group, thanked the bishops for their time and prayers for the students and people who live and work in Rome. He said that though we may not be endowed with many things, as Africans and as Kenyan, we are rich in faith and humanity.

Our Web site: www.kec.or.ke
Blog's home page: Cananews

Second Synod for Africa concludes

“Courage, Get up African continent, the land that welcomed the Saviour when as a child he had to take refuge with Joseph and Mary in Egypt!”

These were the words spoken by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in Rome as he concluded the II Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops.

Accompanied by Cardinal Francis Arinze, Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier of South Africa and newly appointed President of the Pontifical Council for justice and Peace Cardinal John Turkson, together with all the Synod delegates, the Holy Father concluded the special assembly sending the pastors back to their flock in Africa with a message of hope.

Echoing the words of the Gospel about the cure of the blind man Bartimeus by Jesus, he said Africa had suffered for too long from the slavery of famine and diseases. “It is time to arise and to walk in the light that Christ provides,” he said.

He Termed the synod as carrying a message of hope for Africa, hoping that the deliberations and the outcome would achieve true reconciliation, justice, and that agents of evangelization would be true salt of the earth and light of the world.

The colourful liturgy that was animated by choirs from Nigerian and Ethiopian, among others, concluded three weeks of intense deliberation, culminating with a release of a message by the Synod fathers, which urged Africans to rise from the times when Africa was described as ‘a dark continent to a new dawn where it must be a continent of light and hope’.

With the celebration, the synod fathers return to their respective countries and dioceses. A council of 15 people that was elected towards the end of the synod, together with the Synod secretariat will work on the final product of the synod for the Holy Father to exalt later.

Our web site: www.kec.or.ke
Blog's Home page:Cananews

Africa's Special council named

Cardinal John Njue, Archbishop of Nairobi, and the president of the Kenya Episcopal conference, is among 15 members of the Special Council for Africa of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.

Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, Secretary-General of the Synod of Bishops, revealed the names of the council members of which, 12 were elected by the Assembly for Africa of the synod, while His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI appointed three.

The other member members are:

Cardinal Wilfred Fox Napier, archbishop of Durban, South Africa; Cardinal Francis Arinze, retired prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments; Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, archbishop of Cape Coast, Ghana, president of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Western Africa; Cardinal Theodore-Adrien Sarr, archbishop of Dakar, Senegal, first vice president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar; Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; Archbishop Norbert Wendelin Mtega of Songea, Tanzania; Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja, Nigeria; Archbishop Simon Ntamwana of Gitega, Burundi, president of the Association of Episcopal Conferences for Central Africa; Archbishop Cornelius Fontem Esua of Bamenda, Cameroon; Archbishop Odon Marie Arsene Razanakolona of Antananarivo, Madagascar; Bishop Youssef Ibrahim Sarraf of Le Caire of the Chaldeans, Egypt; Bishop Maroun Elias Lahham of Tunis, Tunis; Bishop Edmond Djitangar of Sarh, Chad; Bishop Francisco Joao Silota M. Afr. of Chimoio, Mozambique, second vice president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.

Our web site: www.kec.or.ke
Blog's home page: Cananews

Vatican: Ghana's Cardinal Turkson gets top post

Peter Kodwo Appiah Cardinal Turkson, Archbishop of Cape Coast, Ghana has been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. He succeeds Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, who goes on retirement.

The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace promotes justice and peace in the world in accordance with the Gospel and the social teaching of the Catholic Church.

The announcement of Cardinal Turkson’s appointment was made on Saturday, October 24, by Rev. Fr. Federico Lombardi, Director of the Vatican Press Office during a Press Conference when Cardinal Turkson was about to present the propositions of the Synod of Africa to journalists accredited to the Holy See’s Press Office, in Rome.

Cardinal Turskon told the journalists that he accepts the appointment with all humility and thanked the Holy Father for having offered him the opportunity to serve the Church in this capacity.

The new President of the Justice and Peace Council was born on 11th October 1948 in Ghana. He was ordained a Priest on July 20, 1975. In 1992 he was appointed Archbishop of Cape Coast. The late Pope John Paul II made him a Cardinal on October 21, 2003. He took part in the April 2005 Conclave that saw the election of the present Pope- Benedict XVI.

With this appointment Cardinal Turkson will have to move to the Vatican.

Our web site: www.kec.or.ke
Blog's home page: Cananewss

Synod for Africa nears conclusion

With just a few hours to the conclusion of the II Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, the delegates have released a message to the PEOPLE OF GOD prior to the final document to be read and voted for tomorrow morning in the Synod hall.

In their detailed message covering areas that featured iduring the three-weeks Synod, the delegates have reiterated their call for true healing., justice, peace and reconciliation in Africa, calling it "no longer a ‘dark’ continent but a continent of hope'.

The statement was presented to the international press at the Vatican by Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, Archbishop of Abuja Nigeria, bishop Youssef Ibrahim Sarraf Caldean bishop of Egypt and bishop Francisco Joao Silota of Chimoio, Mozambique together with Fr. Federico Lombardi, head of the Vatican Press office.

The messages contains 7 distinct parts.

Acknowledging that Africa forms part of the global Church, the message urges the global church to continue its solidarity with Africa, all as members of the Family of God.

The message challenges the African bishops to prioritize on issues of reconciliation, justice and peace and making them a pastoral agenda of each diocese.

Terming the priests as necessary and close collaborators of the bishops, the Synod Fathers have urged them in this year dedicated to them to renew their commitments and be true signs of reconciliation and peace by harmoniously living together regardless of their tribal differences.

To the public leaders, the Synod encourages them to participate in church work through promoting common good even while in those public offices.

The synod fathers have also described the Christian families, Catholic Women, Catholic Men, youth and Children as agents of evangelization.

On HIV/AIDS, the Bishops, through the 'Synodal' message, highlight how the church has been involved in this ministry with love and care and applauds many people who take care of the infected and the affected in our land.

Stating that it is now time for Africa to rise up, the message recognizes the efforts to liberate Africa of any kind of bondage or alienation. It however regrets sad crises in Somalia and the Great Lakes region.

The Synod fathers have also expressed great concern on the poor leadership in Africa that has led to destruction of our environment, arms dealing, human and drug trafficking, among other evils bedeviling Africa, calamities that have led to immense poverty, misery and diseases; influx of internally and externally displaced persons, brain-drain to the developed world, wars and bloodshed, et cetera.

In total, the Synod fathers' message has 43 points and ends with a prayer

Our web site: www.kec.or.ke
Blog's Home page:Cananews

Comboni Missionaries elect new superior

Fr. Rodrigue Enrique Sanchez was last evening elected the new superior general of the Comboni Missionaries replacing Fr. Terresino Serra who has served in that same capacity since 2003.

During the ongoing chapter of the congregation taking place at the Generate in EUR, Rome, Fr Rodrigue was elected by the delegates to head the over 1700 member-strong congregation that is spread in all continents of the world.

Until his appointment, Fr. Rodrigue was working as head of Costa Rica and Guatemala in Latin America.

Born in 1958 in Mexico, Fr Enrique has worked in Chad, and has lectured in Peru. His term takes effect immediately and will run for six years.

The Congregation started by St. Daniel Comboni in 1867 has strong roots in Africa for which it was founded under the founders motto 'AFRICA OR DEATH'

Our web site: www.kec.or.ke
Blog's Home page: Cananews

Bishops' Solidarity with the suffering in great lakes

As the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops draws to its close, issues that prompted the convocation of the Synod still continue to affect the church in the region.

This was demonstrated when the Synod Fathers together with the Holy Father sent a message of solidarity to the Bishops of the Great Lakes region and expressed sorrow at the persistent wars in the region and the great suffering of the people there. The Synod Fathers expressed their great concerns over the plight of the child-soldiers, orphans and refugees in general.

In their letter, the fathers hoped that at the intercessions of the African saints, Africa would once again experience a lasting peace and that justice would come in those areas and that hearts might be open to the grace of reconciliation with God and neighbour.

The letter was sent to the Episcopal Conferences of Sudan, Uganda, Chad, DRC and the Central African Republic.

Meanwhile, the Synod Fathers are making the final touches to the document that will finally be presented to the Synod Secretariat for Holy Father to finally adopt and later exalt.

The Synod ends on Sunday October 25, 2009.

Our website: www.kec.or.ke
Blog's home page: Cananews

Pope opens door for Anglican fraternity

Pope Benedict XVI has given a nod to the realization of a full communion with the Anglican Church by accepting an Apostolic Constitution that allows for Anglicans to easily become Catholics.

In a statement released on Tuesday Oct. 20, 2009 by Cardinal William Joseph Levanda, President of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith in the Vatican, (formerly headed by the then Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI) many groups of the Anglican clergy and faithful have written to the Holy See, requesting to enter into full visible communion with the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Levanda said that the Catholic Church in the forthcoming document provides for the ordination of married former Anglican clergy as Catholic priests. However, the Cardinal clarified that historical and ecumenical reasons precluded the ordination of married men as bishops.

The document that is yet to be released to the public is said to seek to balance ‘on one hand the concern to preserve the worthy Anglican liturgical and spiritual patrimony and, on the other hand, the concern that these groups and their clergy will be integrated into the Catholic Church’.

The Cardinal however, clarified that ‘the unity of the church does not require a uniformity that ignores cultural diversity…’

He said that in the Constitution that is now in the final phase, contains proposals to form Personal Ordinaries (dioceses) with structures similar to that of the Military Ordinariates to take care of the brethren who formerly were of the Anglican faith and have since joined the Catholic Church.

In a statement jointly released in London to coincide with the announcement in Rome by Archbishop Vincent Gerald Nichols of Westminister and Dr. Rowan William, archbishop of Cantebury, the two Anglican leaders, confirmed the announcement and said the announcement brought to an end a period of uncertainty for groups that had requested to enter into full communion with the catholic church. The two leaders went on to appreciate dialogue that has gone on for over 40 years between the Catholic church on one hand and the Anglican on the other.

History
The schism (split) that led to formation of Anglican church (church of England) away from mother Catholic Church came in the sixteenth century when King Henry VIII declared the Church of England independent of Papal authority. However, it was only in the mid-nineteenth century that the interest to enter into dialogue developed.

In 1982, the Anglican Diocese of Amritsar of India and some parishes in the United States maintained the Anglican identity but entered into the Catholic Church under some guidelines approved by Pope John Paul II.

This latest development does not however change the Catholic opposition to ordination of women or the ordination of gay priests.

Our Website: www.kec.or.ke
Blog's Home Page: Cananews

Malindi Diocese celebrates life of their late Bishop

Following the death of Rt. Rev. Francis Baldacchino, the Bishop of Malindi and the subsequent burial in Malta, His Lordship Philip Anyolo, the acting Chairman of Kenya Episcopal Conference, presided over Holy Mass at the newly renovated Cathedral of Malindi on Sunday 18 October, 2009.

The solemn Holy Mass was attended by a large number of the faithful of the diocese who, since they didn’t have the opportunity to go to Malta,(where the late was buried on October 14, 2009) came to celebrate the life of the late Bishop Baldacchino.

The liturgy was organized very well. At the end of the Mass there was a great joy as the sadness that had clouded the faithful was lifted up. It was for them like the funeral Mass they never attended and at the end of it all they commended their late Bishop into the Hands of the Lord.

On behalf of all the bishops in Kenya, Bishop Anyolo, who was accompanied by Fr. Dominic Kimengich, the acting Secretary General Kenya Episcopal Conference, encouraged the faithful to be firm in their faith and to cherish the time the late Bishop shared with them as their shepherd.

“The motto of Bishop Baldacchino was: they may be closer together and therefore it becomes an incentive for them to remain united as one family of Christ,” he said.

He exhorted the clergy, the faithful and the religious in the diocese to continue the good work that Bishop Baldaccchino had left behind.

“Also, pray so that the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, may give you another shepherd when the time comes who will carry on with the mission of the Church in the Diocese of Malindi,” said Bishop Anyolo.

The faithful of Malindi are now anxiously waiting for the shepherd who will be their administrator during this time of “Sede Vacante”, since even the office of the Vicar General ceased with the death of the Bishop.

Bishop Anyolo assured them that the Church will take care of that concern as soon as possible.

The late Bishop Baldacchino is well remembered for many spiritual, pastoral and social development developments he initiated, since he became the Shepherd of the newly established diocese of Malindi in 2000.

From the seven parishes that were there when he took over as the Bishop of Malindi, now there are seventeen parishes that make up the diocese. From the one local clergy that was there, now there are ten diocesan priests together with missionary priests ministering in the diocese.

A very modern pastoral center and the diocesan secretariat bear testimony to the legacy of a hard working bishop that had great vision for the diocese of Malindi.

Vicar General Rev. Fr. Albert Buijs, Fr. Ambrose Muli and Fr. Peter Karanja, the assistant Parish priest of the Cathedral have continued to work tirelessly to ensure normalcy of things following the untimely death of the Bishop.

Our web site: www.kec.or.ke
Blog's Home page: Cananews

Pope Benedict marks World Mission Sunday

The Church exists to proclaim the message of hope to all of humanity, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI said on World Mission Sunday October 18, 2009, at St Peter's Square, Vatican, after leading pilgrims in the Angelus prayer.

The Holy Father called on the Church through-out the month of October to rediscover her mission and led by the Holy Spirit to continue proclaiming a message of justice, peace and joy to all.

In the church calendar, October is dedicated as the month of missionary outreach/work.

The pontiff paid tribute to agents of evangelization who have given their lives to the missionary work but continually face hardships, even persecutions.

He said he is looking forward to the outcome of the Synod of Bishops for Africa being held in Vatican, terming the emerging issues so far discussed as a manifestation of extreme sacrifice and love for Christ and His Church.

The Holy Father, who has been attending the proceedings of the meeting, called on the visiting pilgrims to join in special prayer for the Synod and Synod Fathers.

Meanwhile, the Synod entered its third and final week today. The Holy Father is scheduled to celebrate the concluding mass of the Synod on Sunday 25th October at the St Peter's Basilica in Rome.

Our website: www.kec.or.ke
Blog's home page: Cananews

KEC-CS Press Statement: Religious Dress in Catholic Schools

"On 13th August 2009, His Eminence John cardinal Njue, Chairman of the Kenya Episcopal Conference and all the Catholic Bishops in Kenya wrote a letter to all Catholic public Sponsored and private schools informing them that the issues of HIJAB in schools needs consultation. Consequently, they asked that the STATUS QUO – BEFORE the issuance of the circular from the ministry of education – BE MAINTAINED in these schools until an agreement is reached amicably. Thus, they instructed that the code of dressing, as per the admission requirements be adhered to in all Catholic schools.

"Earlier Rt. Rev. Maurice Crowley, Bishop Chairman, Kenya Episcopal Conference Commission for Education and Religious Education, had written a letter dated July 15th, 2009 to the permanent secretary, ministry of Education, questioning the directive that the permanent secretary had issued regarding religious dressing on July 14th, 2009 and called for dialogue and consultation before implementation. He also recommended strongly that the directive and implementation be withdrawn.

"The need for consultation and dialogue arises from the fact the Catholic Church has her own religious traditions, discipline and philosophy of education that is cherished and held in all catholic schools. This is what has made Catholic schools what they are. For that reason, the Church has to be involved in any decision that might affect her directly or indirectly. In addition the directive was issued without taking into consideration the views and concerns of the Catholic Church and other Christian churches.

"It is a well known fact that Catholic schools all over the country are open to all children regardless of their social status or religious affiliation. This is why the Church is careful to maintain a certain degree of uniformity in her schools for the good and interest of all as she endeavours to build one people and one nation.

"Therefore, the recognition of any religious emblem is and should be subject to consultation with sponsors of the respective schools. Otherwise, it means that the sponsor’s role is no longer recognized by the ministry of Education and this is against the 1968 Education ACT (Revised 1980) which has not been repealed. In this matter of the religious dressing, therefore, the Catholic Church is requesting that her rights and concerns be respected and the issue be subjected to consultation and dialogue by all stakeholders in education with the aim of reaching an amicable agreement.

"We wish to point out that any concern as to why the Catholic Church has not implemented the circular of the permanent Secretary – Ministry of Education – in her public sponsored and private schools should only be addressed to the chairman of Kenya Episcopal Conference and not the heads of the respective institutions.

"In conclusion, we pray that this matter of the Hijab he handled with reason and respect, avoiding confrontation and threats, for harmonious co-existence – taking into account that our children are about to sit for the National and end of the year examinations."

Signed

Rt. Rev. Phillip Anyolo
Ag. Chairman; Kenya Episcopal Conference
17th October, 2009

Our web site: www.kec.or.ke
Blog's Home page: Cananews

‘Sudan conflict due to Inequality’

The people of Sudan are yearning for lasting peace, Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako, archbishop of Khartoum has told the Synod of Bishops in Rome.

In his presentation, Cardinal Wako said that Africa now needed courage, to realize all the dreams that the continent has, among them the search for peace.

“The problem between South and North Sudan was a problem ranging from inequalities in development between North and South to inequalities of opportunities accorded to the people of the two portions of the country by the central government,” said the Cardinal, adding that religious and racial differences did not mitigate the situation in the country.

The cardinal lamented the isolation of Sudan by the international community and by NGOs saying that those left to suffer were the population. He criticised those who have taken sides in the conflict subjecting the weak to even greater suffering.

On the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that was signed in 2005 in Nairobi, Kenya, Cardinal Wako said that though conflict had ended, the country still experienced great uncertainty with a very delicate peace in the Sudan.

He prayed that the ongoing Synod of bishops ‘would draw a genuine road map for the salvation of Africa.’

Our web site: www.kec.or.ke
Blog's Home page: Cananews

Comboni Missionary dies in Juba, Sudan

Comboni Missionaries are mourning loss of one of their missionaries in Sudan, following a fatal road accident.

Fr. Giovanni Fenzi died early on Thursday morning Oct. 16, 2009, after being involved in a road accident near Southern Sudan Capital, JUBA.

According to Fr. Paulino Mondo Twesigye, the Deputy Provincial of the Comboni Missionaries in Kenya, Fr. Giovanni was traveling from the airport where he had accompanied a colleague, Fr. Guiseppe Ciannini, who was travelling to Nairobi.

Fr. Fenzi was alone on his way back from the airport after dropping Fr. Ciannini at the airport, when the accident occurred at around 2am in the morning.

Fr. Giovanni Antonini, who had worked with the deceased in Sudan, and is currently based at the Comboni Missionaries New people Media centre in Nairobi, described the late as very dedicated in his pastoral work among the people on Nuba hills in Sudan, where he ministered most of his priestly life.

Born in 1946 in Italy, Fr. Giovanni Fenzi was ordained to priesthood in 1974, and went to work among the Nuba people in 1976 in the diocese of Elobeyd.

“He was fond of a transistor Radio which he carried most of the time, until one time, the Sudanese government forces fighting the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) suspected him of using the same (which they mistook for a phone) to contact SPLM rebels,” Fr. Antonini told CANAnews.

This led to him being expelled from the country in 1990, which, he later returned to and continued with his missionary work.

Until his death, Fr. Fenzi had been working at the Comboni Procure in Juba.

Our Website: www.kec.or.ke
Blog's Home page: Cananews

Church sends goodwill message to Hindu community

The president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran has sent a message of goodwill to the Hindu community on the occasion of feast of DIWALI to be marked this weekend.

In his message, Cardinal Tauran prayed that the festival of lights (Diwali) would strengthen fellowship among all faiths and bring blessings of happiness and peace to all.

In line with the traditions of the church council, the Cardinal proposed a common reflection on the need to work together for integral human development which he defined as ‘advance towards the true good of every individual, community and society, in every single dimension of human life: social, economic, political, intellectual, spiritual and religious’.

“The respect for others implies recognition of their freedom; freedom of conscience, of thought and of religion,” said the Cardinal.

He further prayed that all people of goodwill would join together and dispel any hindrance to a true vision of co-existence, religious harmony and integral development for each and every person.

our website: www.kec.or.ke
Blog's home page: Cananews

Archbishop Celli: Promote church communications in Africa

The president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli wants the bishops of Africa to support and encourage church communications in the continent.

Speaking to the delegates attending the ongoing Synod of Bishops for Africa, Archbishop Celli appreciated the growth that the catholic communication has experience since the last synod of bishops in 1994.

The archbishop said today, Africa has over 160 catholic radio stations broadcasting in 32 countries as opposed to only 15 in 1994, when the last synod for Africa was held.

However, to enhance better communication in the African church, Archbishop Celli has asked for the synod fathers to invest more in training communicators and support the creation of associations of Catholic communicators.

“Time has come for the fast growing media culture to be evangelized and to enter into dialogue with those in the ministry,” he said.

Archbishop Celli addressed the synod of bishops as the gathering entered the crucial phase of group works in readiness for the unification of the propositions by the general secretariat next week.

Our web site: www.kec.or.ke
Blog's home page: Cananews

Cardinal Njue: Reconciliation a must for Kenya

Reconciliation in Kenya has not been easy, but it is a path that we must all walk and as a church encourage people to take.

This was said to day by Cardinal John Njue during an international press conference at the Vatican during the ongoing Synod of Bishops for Africa, who also chairs the important information committee of the ongoing Synod

Flanked by Cardinal Napier of South Africa and the popes spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi, Cardinal Njue recounted the experience Kenya went through after the 2007 elections terming it as having been a difficult time for Kenya and challenging one for the church in the country.

Respect from Donors
Asked about donors who come to our African countries with hidden agenda, Cardinal Njue said that we all needed help from well intentioned donors, but called for respect from them.

"Whatever came from outside must also respect the local culture and the dignity of the people being helped," he said.

He said farmers are being subjected to great injustices for not being rewarded for their hard labour in their farms by those in western market.

HIV/AIDS interventions
Cardinal Napier of South Africa said the church had set up different institutions to offer accurate information on HIV/AIDS; care for the infected; get more involved in programs offering ART as well as prevention programs to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS.

To the married, the Cardinal reiterated the call for faithfulness and to those yet to get marriage, he called for abstinence.

Our web site: www.kec.or.ke
Blog's home page: Cananews

The Late Bp. Baldacchino buried

The late Bishop Francis Baldacchino of Malindi was finally laid to rest yesterday (October 13, 2009) in a send-off befitting a faithful servant during a funeral Mass presided over by His Eminence John Cardinal Njue the chairman of Kenya Episcopal conference at the Maltese Capital, Valleta.

The burial was also attended by among others Archbishop Boniface Lele of Mombasa (Kenya), Bishop Philip Sulumeti, the Vice chairman, Kenya Episcopal Conference and Bishop Paul Darmanin of Garissa.

The Cardinal paid glowing tribute to the late Bishop Baldacchino, whom he said he will be remembered for his selfless service as a missionary in Kenya.

Cardinal Njue described the late as a being 'not only the Bishop of Malindi but a very faithful member of the Kenya Episcopal Conference where he dedicated his energy, wisdom and knowledge at the national (Kenya) Catholic Secretariat, specifically in the Secretariat’s Commission for Inter-Religious dialogue, an area he was an expert.

“May his pastoral zeal , now that he is gone become ours and continue through us who are alive,, that all his pastoral dreams for the Diocese of Malindi may come to fulfillment. ,” said cardinal Njue in his message of condolence.

Bishop Baldacchino who until his death was the ordinary of Malindi was laid to rest in Malta, his land of origin.

At the same time, the clergy, religious and the faithful in the former Bishop Baldacchino's diocese of Malindi celebrated a requiem Mass to coincide with the burial at the Diocese’s St. Anthony cathedral. The Mass was celebrated by the Diocese’s Vicar-General, Fr. Albert Buijs, who said the diocese had lost a humble, faithful shepherd.

“His works speak for themselves, from education to development to pastoral. We have 5 parishes when we were given this diocese in 2000, now, our dear bishop leaves behind 14 Parishes,” said the Vicar-general.

The Diocese will be celebrating another Requiem Mass on Sunday, October, 18.

Our website: www.kec.or.ke
Blogs Home page: cananews