“Very encouraging”: Austrian Catholic Bishop Lauds Children’s Active Participation in Holy Mass in Lodwar Diocese, Kenya

Nairobi, 26 February, 2025 / 10:32 AM

The active participation of children in the Eucharistic celebration in Kenya’s Catholic Diocese of Lodwar is a source of encouragement, Bishop Stephan Turnovszky from Austria has said. 

In his remarks after the Eucharistic celebration on Sunday, February 23 at St. Augustine Cathedral of the Kenyan Catholic Diocese, Bishop Turnovszky contrasted the liturgical celebration he had just experienced and that in his native country in Central Europe, Austria. 

“When we were celebrating Mass today with joy, dancing, singing, and many children and youth, it was encouraging for us because we're from a country where there are not so many children. And so, this is very encouraging for us,” the Auxiliary Bishop of Austria’s Archdiocese of Vienna said. 

In a report on the February 23 Eucharistic celebration published on February 24, Lodwar Diocese indicates that Bishop Turnovszky led the delegation from DKA Austria that included four others in a five-day visit to the Kenyan Catholic Diocese. 

The report indicates that the visit represented “a significant step in strengthening international Catholic ties” in a shared mission between Lodwar Diocese and DKA Austria, the initiative of the Catholic Children's Movement in Austria established as a development cooperation agency that campaigns “for a decent life for all people, free from exploitation and poverty.”

In his remarks at the end of the February 23 Eucharistic celebration, Bishop Turnovszky thanked his host, Bishop John Mbinda, for facilitating a good reception when they arrived in the Diocese, and acknowledged with appreciation the song and dance of the children, who he said also recited poems. 

Bishop John Mbinda of Kenya's Lodwar Diocese. Credit: Radio Akicha

“Your work here inspires us all to deepen our commitment to service delivery,” the Austrian Catholic Bishop is quoted as saying, referring to the partnership Lodwar Diocese has with DKA Austria in facilitating the realization of initiatives among the people of God in the Kenyan Catholic Diocese.

Referring to the challenging climate of Northern Kenya, the arid region characterized with abundant sunshine and little rainfall all year round, Bishop Turnovszky said, “I admire you who know how to live in this harsh climate. You're well experienced.”

In an audio recording of the February 23 event shared with ACI Africa, the Austrian Catholic Bishop alluded to the theme of the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope”. He described the visit of the DKA Austria delegation to Lodwar Diocese as a pilgrimage. 

“This pilgrimage is an exchange of hope; we are able to bring hope to you. But I want to underline that you are giving hope to us in exchange,” Bishop Turnovszky, who has been Auxiliary Bishop of Vienna since his Episcopal Consecration in May 2008 said.

Bishop Stefen Turnovsky, the auxiliary Bishop of Vienna Archdiocese in Austria, and Bishop Mbinda of Kenya's Lodwar Diocese interacting with faithful on Sunday, 23 February 2025. Credit: Radio Akicha

In his homily, Bishop Mbinda reflected on the Gospel Reading of the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, recalling the challenging teaching of Jesus Christ, “Love your enemies”.

“Our faith calls us to rise above hatred,” the Local Ordinary of Lodwar Diocese said, underlining the need to practice the teaching of Jesus Christ about unconditional love.

The Kenyan-born member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (CSSp./Holy Ghost Fathers/Spiritans) lamented insecurity in a section of his Episcopal See and invited the people of God to pray for the victims of a February 22 attack that reportedly resulted in the death of at least 20 people. 

Delegates from Austria. Credit: Radio Akicha

“As we mourn our brothers and sisters affected in Todonyang, we must embody Christ’s teachings by extending compassion to those who persecute us,” Bishop Mbinda said about the February 22 attack that occurred in the area covered by Our Lady Queen of Peace Todonyang Parish of his Episcopal See.

He appealed for prayers for the bereaved and survivors of the deadly cross-border attack at Todonyang located along the Kenya-Ethiopia border, saying, “I ask you to pray for them and also to encourage them and strengthen them in this difficult time.”

The five-day visit of the DKA Austria delegation to Lodwar Diocese that involved encounters with stakeholders in the various Diocesan projects is set to conclude on February 27.