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| Rt. Rev. Joseph Allesandro, KCCB Chairman Commission for Refugees, Migrant & Seafarers (center) with some of the participants of the workshop in Nairobi |
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Seafarers, has taken up the duty to educate chaplains and pastoral agents about the reality of refugees, migrants, asylum seekers, Internally Displaced People and stateless persons in Kenya.
In his opening remarks during the workshop on Pastoral Care for Itinerant People on 30thJune 2015 in Nairobi, Chairman for Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Seafarers and the Bishop of Garissa, Rt. Rev. Joseph Allesandro, said special concern should be shown for those among the faithful who, on account of their way of life, cannot sufficiently make use of the common and ordinary pastoral care of parish priests or are quite cut off from it.
Bishop Allesandro said “suitable pastoral methods should also be promoted to sustain the spiritual life of those who go to other lands for the sake of recreation” quoting (Christus Domini, Decree of the II Vatican Council 1965 n. 18)
He called on the Pastoral Agents drown from different Dioceses in Kenya to pay special attention to the migrants and their families by accompanying them with prayer, solidarity and Christian charity, by enhancing what is reciprocally enriching, as well as by fostering new political, economic and social planning that promotes respect for the dignity of every human person, the safeguarding of the family, access to dignified housing, work and to welfare.
He also challenged the Pastoral Agents to help the people understand the uniqueness of their ministry and to sensitize them to observe the ethics of driving and to be responsible in order reduce road accidents.
Bishop Alessandro commend those who have taken keen interest in migrants, exiles and refugees, seafarers, air-travelers, gypsies, and others of this kind and have accorded them the spiritual and material help they desperately need, especially the gift of friendship and a welcoming hand.
The one week workshop aims at finding ways of giving the best Pastoral Care and Services to all the Itinerant People.
By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications Ltd, KCCB