The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Secretary General Rev. Fr. Vincent has asked the citizens to treasure Unity, Love, Forgiveness and Reconciliation as the country celebrates 50 years of independence.
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He said that the message of the Church as the prophetic voice to the people of Kenya as they celebrate 50 years of independence is to love one another, forgive each other, and reconcile all the time. “Remain one; Christ said in the Gospel of John that ‘All may be one, I pray for them that all may be one’. Even in this world with all the difficulties, it is still possible to be one and that oneness is not only a call it is also a commitment of every individual because if you have a call at the country level and not at individual level then we are getting nowhere,” he said.
Speaking to AMECEA Online News at his offices at Waumini House in Westlands, Nairobi, recently Fr. Wambugu said that Love, Forgiveness and Reconciliation are values that should be for every individual citizen the country wants to remain united.
He said that the message of the Church as the prophetic voice to the people of Kenya as they celebrate 50 years of independence is to love one another, forgive each other, and reconcile all the time. “Remain one; Christ said in the Gospel of John that ‘All may be one, I pray for them that all may be one’. Even in this world with all the difficulties, it is still possible to be one and that oneness is not only a call it is also a commitment of every individual because if you have a call at the country level and not at individual level then we are getting nowhere,” he said.The Secretary General said that the people of Kenya need to cherish unity, love, forgiveness and reconciliation everyday of their life. “This is what has torn our country into pieces in the past; people have fought, but I like the fact that by God’s Grace, people have also realized their mistakes and quickly forgiven and reconciled with each other,” he said.
Fr. Wambugu said that the Church appreciates the fact that God has brought Kenyans to this time when the country is celebrating 50 years of independence. He said that the Church likewise is joining all Kenyans in thanking God for what the country has achieved in all these years. “The color of our country is what we are; the flag of our country and the national Anthem represents all of us,” he said.
He said that the Catholic Church in Kenya is much older than the country, in fact more than a centenary; therefore the Church looks back at the Child - Kenya as a country, and express her gratitude to the fore fathers who brought the child into being and hope that their prayers should be translated into actions will continue to keep their good history and heritage.
Fr. Wambugu referred to the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela on which he said Mandela’s death happens when Kenya is warming up for the climax of the jubilee celebrations. “Every leader in the world is eulogizing Mandela; he was a good man, forgiving, and a preacher of forgiveness and reconciliation. If we really believe in Mandela then we should not only state what he lived for and articulate his values but we should make those values be part and parcel of our commitments for a better future,” he said.
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| Fr. Vincent Wambugu |
“There are still big challenges facing the country as we celebrate 50 years. Look at the conflicts that are now mushrooming in Moyale, Marsabit and other places. Let our leaders take it as an a challenge towards true development that they must make sure that lasting peace and unity among citizens of this country prevail,” he said.
Fr. Wambugu clarified that there is no distinction between Church and the country especially when it comes to the national celebrations. “When you ask me about what the Church is doing to celebrate the Jubilee of the country, I will ask you, what is the Church? Who are the members? The same members of the Church are also Kenyan citizens, they are the same people will be the going to attend the celebrations at the KasaraniStadium. These are the same members of the Church who have walked with each other for fifty years. There is no Church out there and the Country out there so that you can talk of what the Church is doing and what the Country is doing,” he said.
“What I would say is that we as the Christians and specifically Catholics are part of the country and we are in communion with the country and we are united in celebrating our Country of which we are part and parcel of. We are one and our people are the same and indeed if you ask me who I am; I would say that I am a Kenyan and I am a Catholic,” he said adding that “Celebrating as a Kenyan and a Catholic separately means discrepancy and that will be disconnect.”
“At 50 we need to realize the goals and the values of this country and live up to them without any reservation. Leaders need to make us united not to separate us. We are one country, one Kenya one nation,” he concludes.
Source: AMECEA Social Communications