The Ad Limina meeting with the Holy Father Pope Francis has given the Kenyan Bishops an additional grace and strength to be ready to love, work for peace, seek reconciliation and forgiveness of each other despite many challenges and terror attacks by Al-Shabaab.
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| Catholic Bishops of Kenya |
Speaking after prayers at St Mary Major Basilica which is dedicated to our Lady, Most Rev. Zacchaeus Okoth, the Chairman of Catholic Justice and Peace Commission and Archbishop of Kisumu said the Bishops visit to Rome has energized them, gave them opportunity to pray for peace in the country, strengthen their faith, revealing that they are now ready to go and evangelize strongly the message of Christ the prince of peace and love of each other.
Archbishop Okoth called on Kenyans to remain peaceful and promise to continue working for peace and justice. He said that all citizens are invited to communicate the message of peace, tolerance, forgiveness and acceptance of other faith.
He called for harmonious coexistence with people of different faith after the heinous attack at Garissa University College in northern Kenya that left 148 people dead. “We know there is some Islamic influence but we still say we can live together with Muslim brothers and sisters without killing each other”.
Speaking at the same event, Most Rev Martin Kivuva, the Chairman of Social Communication and Archbishop of Mombasa, said the cowardice attack left many Christians confused as to whether it is a religious war or terrorist attacks.
Archbishop Kivuva said there are already initiatives to ensure that peace prevails in Kenya by holding meetings with council of inter-religious leaders, planning meetings with the youths of whom the majority are recruited and engaged in terror attacks indicating the challenge of many pockets of insurgencies in the country.
Kivuva said that he is pursuing a possibility of having a caravan of peace together with all the religious leader in the Country to bring about awareness “crime and terror does not give us peace of mind and heart. This world cannot be happier or develop if we are fighting each other” he said.
He however urged the government to take stern measures against the perpetrators of the Garissa attack. “The government must take charge and protect the people wherever they are in the whole country,” he said.
By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications Ltd, KCCB