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| Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya & South Sudan Addresses invited guests during the anniversary celebrations |
The Catholic Bishops of Kenya joined the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, His Excellency Charles D Balvo on 13th March 2014 to celebrate the first anniversary of Pope Francis at the Apostolic Nunciature in Nairobi, Kenya.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, H.E. John Cardinal Njue, paid a tribute to Pope Francis for his humility and reaching out to all the people regardless of their social, economic or religious status. He has called on all people to learning from the life and attitude of Pope Francis by inviting the Church to be in the midst of society for the purpose of giving credible witness to the Gospel of Christ.
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| Some of the invited guests who attended the celebrations |
Cardinal Njue said, “by the simply of his life, Pope Francis has come down to the level of the people that God has entrusted him to serve. This is a very powerful for all of us.” He went on to say, “May we accompany him in and pray for him that the Lord may give him strength so that the Church can fulfill her mission of being close to all people irrespective of their situations.”
Addressing the audience who attended the Anniversary, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, His Excellency Balvo recalled that during the time of the election when the name of the new pope was announced, right there and then, many people realized that there would be something very different about him. During this one year of his Pontificate, what we have seen and heard has shown us indeed what a difference he has made in so many ways.
The Apostolic Nuncio said that during the first meeting with members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See some, Pope Francis highlighted that among the most remarkable things that happened in the year 2013 was the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and South Sudan, a country that is close to his heart.
Most Rev Balvo said, “Pope Francis expressed commitment that the Catholic Church will continue to ensure her presence and cooperation, working generously to help people in every possible way, and above all, to build a climate of reconciliation and peace among all groups and societies.” He further said, “Indeed the Holy Father emphasized that the spirit that seeks to promote true peace, grounded on truth, justice, charity and liberty, should be seen in the cooperation that the Holy See and the Catholic Church offer all over the world.”
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| Apostolic Nuncio assisted by John Cardinal Njue cuts the anniversary cake as the Kenyan government representative to the celebrations looks on |
On its part, the Kenya Government has commended the Holy See for its cordial relations and support to the people of Kenya. Representing the government of Kenya the Embu Senator Hon. Lenny Kivuti, commended the Catholic Church for its active role in the area of education and healthcare provision in the country.
“The Catholic Church is also one of the largest non-state providers of healthcare services in the country,” said Senator Kivuti. “It has an expansive network which consists of close to 500 health care units and over 50 Community Based Orphanages and Vulnerable Children Programs. The Church has continued to work hand in hand with the Government to offer services at affordable rates to millions of Kenyans especially in the remote arid and semi arid regions of Kenya.”
Senator Kivuti also appreciated the work of the Church in the field of education, saying a lot of progress has been achieved. “The Catholic Church in Kenya has over 8,000 primary and secondary schools, five colleges, a fully-fledged university, and also provides facilities to cater for people with special needs,” said the Senator.
He called for continued and closer collaboration between the Church and the Government to help in programmes such as promotion of peace, social justice, human rights, protection of the environment and eradication of poverty and hunger.