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| Most Rev. Martin Kivuva, Archbishop of Mombasa |
The Archbishop-designate of Mombasa Most Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde has called for unity and collaboration between the Church and the different arms of government to ensure peace and prosperity.
In his statement sent to AMECEA Online NewsMost Rev Kivuva said, “It is my earnest desire and prayer, that the Catholic Church will jointly work with the different arms of the County government of Mombasa and the National government, so that we not only achieve peace and prosperity in the country and beyond our borders, but also that we may be able to render the much desired services to our people.”
However, he emphasized the fact that collaboration between the Church and the state arms will not mean that the Church turns a blind eye to injustices and acts of corruption. “I hasten to clarify that this collegial relationship which the church desires and prays for, will in fact guide and encourage the Catholic Church to point out in love and charity, to the government and anyone else, the areas that require improvement. We shall not be silent!” read the statement.
Archbishop Kivuva who until his new appointment was the bishop of Machakos Diocese, will be the third Archbishop and the fifth Bishop of Mombasa.
Archbishop Kivuva said that he takes over the work of shepherding God’s people in Mombasa at a time when Kenya and the world over are faced with a myriad of challenges. “While every part of Kenya is experiencing some security, economic, cultural, spiritual and social challenges, we in Mombasa are experiencing the same at a different level,” he said in the statement adding that “Mombasa is not only the port of entry for goods, services and people to Kenya and to East and Central Africa, but also an entrance of faith that came to Kenya and beyond through Mombasa.
“It is therefore my earnest desire and prayer, that the Catholic Church will live, interact and work harmoniously with our brothers and sisters of other faiths to bring about peace in Mombasa, peace in Kenya, peace in the region, peace in the continent and peace in the world over.”
The archdiocese of Mombasa became vacant following the resignation and later the death of Archbishop Boniface Lele in November 2013. Bishop Emmanuel Barbara of the Catholic Diocese of Malindi has been serving as Apostolic Administrator since November 2013.
By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News Reporter