Nations from where refugees and migrants are fleeing have been challenged to take seriously the plight of refugees and address the issues causing them to escape from their Countries of origin.
Delivering the Pope’s message for World Refugee day at Kakuma Refugee camp on 17th January 2016, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) - Chairman for Refugees, Migrants and Seafarers Rt. Rev. Joseph Alessandro called on leaders from various countries to join hands in building peace and ensuring security and development in waring nations as a way of bringing a lasting solution to the displaced people.
The Bishop of Garissa who is also hosting refugees at Dadaab camp said it is not enough to give the displaced handouts but to ensure that they are living a dignified life as all are precious and equal in the eyes of God.
He said Pope Francis expressed concern over the overall indifference to the dilemma of the people fleeing war, famine, and persecution as he addressed ambassadors in Vatican on 11th, January, 2016.
In this extra ordinary jubilee year of Mercy, Pope Francis encourages the faithful to live the acts of mercy which includes: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and burying the dead.
Bishop Alessandro said the Church in Kenya’s manifestation on the acts of mercy welcomes refugees from different countries as she, seeks to understand the causes of migration, works to overcome the negative effects of migration and exploit the positive influence on the international community.
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| (From Left) Rt. Rev. Virgilio Pante KCCB Vice Chairman for Refugees, Migrants and Seafarers, Rt. Rev. Joseph Alessandro, Chairman of the same commission and Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich of Lodwar. |
He called on the refugees to accept each other and shun their differences back home. “the courage born of faith, hope and love enables us to reduce the differences and distances that separates us, Jesus is always waiting to be recognized in our brothers and sisters migrants and refugees and through you, Jesus calls us to share our hospitality, friendship, resources, care and love” He said.
The world Refugee day marked at Holy Cross Parish in Kakuma camp in the Diocese of Lodwar was also graced by (KCCB) - Vice Chairman for Refugees, Migrants and Seafarers Rt. Rev. Virgilio Pante and Bishop of Lodwar Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich who celebrated the Holy Mass with the refugees, KCCB team led by the National Executive Secretary and the Human Resource Manager Mrs. Margaret Masibo and NGO officials.
Kakuma refugee camp is a home to about 200,000 refugees from South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo and Ethiopia.
By Rose Achiego; Waumini Communications KCCB
