The Catholic Bishops of Kenya have expressed their appreciation with gratitude for the support they have received from Christians and other people of good will that enable the Pope Francis ‘visit to a success and blessing to the country.
In their press statement which AMECEA Online News has a copy, Bishop Phillip Anyolo, the Chairman of KCCB stated, “I write to thank you most sincerely for your invaluable support towards hosting the Holy Father in our beloved Country. The Holy Father’s visit, which was very successful, was a blessing to all of us, and a moment of great pride for our Nation and the entire Church fraternity in Kenya."
"On behalf of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, (KCCB) and on my own behalf, I wish to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude for your warm and kind gesture. We were deeply touched by your generosity in terms of prayers, resources and time, which went a long way in ensuring that the Holy Father’s visit became the great success that it turned out to be," read the statement.
Read the full statement
MESSAGE OF APPRECIATION TO ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT
TOWARDS HOSTING THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS, IN KENYA
Dear Christians and people of goodwill,
Receive greetings and cordial regards from Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops.
I write to thank you most sincerely for your invaluable support towards hosting the Holy Father in our beloved Country. The Holy Father’s visit, which was very successful, was a blessing to all of us, and a moment of great pride for our Nation and the entire Church fraternity in Kenya.
On behalf of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, and on my own behalf, I wish to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude for your warm and kind gesture. We were deeply touched by your generosity in terms of prayers, resources and time, which went a long way in ensuring that the Holy Father’s visit became the great success that it turned out to be.
In a very special way, allow me to thank the following groups:
1. The Government of the Republic of Kenya under the able leadership of His Excellency the President, Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, for your financial and logistical support during the planning of the visit and for the entire duration of the Holy Father’s stay in the Country.
2. The Apostolic Nuncio for hosting the Holy Father at his residence and for his advice and support in planning for the visit.
3. My Brother Archbishops and Bishops for overall coordination of the visit of the Holy Father and for creating time from your busy schedules to personally oversee certain core activities of the visit.
4. The Steering Committee, various Sub-Committees and staff of Kenya Catholic Secretariat, for your tireless efforts and logistical support during the planning process and in hosting of the Holy Father.
5. The County Government of Nairobi and Governor Evans Kidero for your logistical support. We cannot also forget other County Governments in the Republic of Kenya for their great support throughout the planning process.
6. Corporate organizations and individual Kenyans for your generous financial support throughout.
7. Development partners and Donors for your generous financial and material support.
8. The University of Nairobi for accepting to host the Papal Mass, St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Parish-Kangemi, St. Mary’s School Msongari and Management of Safaricom Stadium - Kasarani for hosting the Pope.
9. The media, both local and international, for creating awareness about the visit and for keeping the world informed about the activities of the Holy Father during this visit.
10. Schools and other educational institutions for preparing and facilitating students to travel to Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, to meet the Holy Father to hear his message and receive blessings.
11. All Pastoral Coordinators, Education Secretaries and youth coordinators for mobilising and preparing the young people to meet with the Holy Father.
12. Kenyans from all walks of life for your prayers and turning up in large numbers to cheer and welcome the Holy Father wherever he passed. Most specially, we thank you all Christians for your financial support, presence and participation during Papal Mass at the University of Nairobi Grounds. Particularly, I thank you for your peaceful and serene disposition that enabled the Holy Father to bestow the blessings to all Christians and our Country.
13. Everyone who played a part in the successful visit of the Holy Father in one way or the other, I acknowledge your support. I pray that the Almighty God will continue to bless you all, your families and institutions. May you be prosperous in all your endeavours.
In the meantime, the Church is in the process of rolling out a comprehensive Pastoral Plan to guide Kenyans in embracing and responding to the message of the Holy Father to us during his visit to our Country.
I wish you all God’s blessings and special graces that come with this Advent season.
Yours Sincerely
+Bishop Phillip Anyolo
Chairman KCCB