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| Rt. Rev. Bishop Oballa of Ngong Diocese unveils the banner for the Year of Consecrated Life During the Launch and Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) |
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) on February 5, 2015 launched the Year of Consecrated life in a ceremony that was graced by Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa, Bishop of Ngong Diocese, at the University Campus, in Nairobi.
Speaking at the Thursday community mass which he celebrated, the Bishop said the year of consecrated life “is a moment of grace for the whole church and specifically for those who have consecrated themselves to God through the religious vows”.
He added that by being there to launch the year, it was an opportunity for him to honour the passionate appeal of the Pope to Bishops to view the year as an ‘opportunity to accept the institutes of consecrated life, readily and joyfully, as a spiritual capital which contributes to the good of the whole body of Christ not simply that of individual religious families’.
Bishop Oballa also added that the year is meant to be an “intense time to celebrate with the whole church the gift of vocation, something so deeply personal and moulded by God, as was the experience of Prophet Jeremiah, and revival of the prophetic mission of each one”.
The Bishop further said that in the vision of the Pope, this year is also meant to foster unity and communion among those in consecrated life, Orthodox, reformed churches and those living a life fully given to God in other ‘great religions’.
The Bishop invited all the consecrated to listen attentively to what the Holy Spirit is telling the church. He asked them; “Are we challenged by the Gospel?; Is Jesus really our first and only love, as we promised he would when we first professed our vows (poverty, chastity, and obedience)?”He posed these among other questions.
He warned all against coming up with excuses against commitment to the lord and the gospel as did Prophet Jeremiah who said, “but, I am only a child.” He further urged the young religious to dialogue with the previous generation as tomorrow’s role of leadership is in their hands.
Bishop Oballa urged all the Christians that this is the time “to build up, affirm, honour and respect each member of every community and other congregations regardless of their culture, gender, race, tribe or background without prejudice”.
The year of Consecrated life runs for fourteen months; that is from November 30, 2014 to February 2, 2016. During this year, the Pope has conceded plenary indulgence with all the customary conditions to all members of consecrated life and other truly repentant faithful moved by a spirit of charity.
SOURCE: CUEA Communication Office
