By Rose Achiego Ande
The Catholic Bishops on 22nd October 202 prayed for an end to the drought, hunger, and insecurity in Kenya. The prayers dominated the speeches during the ordination and installation of the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Maralal, Rt. Rev. Hieronymus Joya, which took place at Allamano Grounds at the Cathedral.
In his Homily during the installation Mass, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan His Excellency Bert Van Megen called on the faithful to pray for Kenyans who are facing starvation owing to prolonged drought in the North Eastern parts of the Country which also includes parts of the Catholic Diocese of Maralal.
“Pray for the people of Maralal who are facing the severe consequences of drought. Thousands of people in the north are struggling with their lives, having sleepless nights on how to feed their children and themselves,” he said adding that others are thirsty and sick, yet desperately looking for ways to feed their families.
Archbishop Megen noted with concern that some of these people who are largely pastoralists had lost their sources of livelihood while searching for greener pastures for their flock. He hence prayed to God to provide rains so as to bring to an end the suffering of the people in the regions where drought had caused the death of people and animals, malnutrition in children, starvation, and diseases.
“The Good Lord should make it rain in the Diocese. A faithful and gracious Lord full of mercy makes it rain over the good and evil. Shower Oh heavens from above and let the skies rain down righteousness. Lord Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, give us safety, pour out water on the thirsty land and streams and dry grounds. Oh God give us safety and security that banditry attacks and stealing and murdering may come to an end so we may live in a secure and safe country,” he prayed.
He however expressed confidence in the newly ordained Bishop Joya, that he is well vast with the challenges of the Catholic Diocese of Maralal given the fact that he had served in the Diocese before as a Pastoral Coordinator.
Archbishop Megen hailed him as a realist, urging him to be a servant leader who endures suffering and challenges. “You have to go through pains and challenges in order to come to joy and consolation. A good leader should be blameless, not arrogant, not quick-tempered, not violent, not addicted to alcohol, and not greedy for money. The leader in God’s Church needs to be hospitable, filled with goodness, prudent, upright, one who has self-control and is rooted in the word of God.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Bishops (KCCB) and the Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mombasa Most Rev. Martin Kivuva congratulated Bishop Joya for joining KCCB.
He expressed gratitude to God for giving Marala a bishop and thanked the new bishop for accepting the call to shepherd the people of Maralal. He also thanked the Holy Father Pope Francis for appointing Bishop Joya to join the Collage of Bishops in Kenya and thanked the Nuncio for his commitment and dedication to serving the Church in Kenya.
Archbishop Kivuva hence called on the faithful of Maralal to work closely with their new bishop, support, and pray for him. He also Congratulated the first Bishop of Maralal Rt. Rev. Virgilio Pante who had served the dioceses for more than 20 years for endurance and selflessness.
Archbishop Kivuva joined the Apostolic Nuncio in praying for a speedy solution to the hunger that is ravaging some parts of the country, calling on Kenyans to spread love and share food with those faced with starvation. “There is hunger, drought, and lack of water whereas there are areas blessed with food in some parts of the country, please support each other,” he said.
According to reports in the media, an estimated 3.1 million people in the Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASAL) of Kenya are severely food insecure following three consecutive poor rainy seasons that have hampered crop production.
KCCB - Catholic Mirror 