Need to Integrate Science and Faith amid COVID-19 Challenge: Nuncio in Kenya

Making reference to Pope Francis’ Urbi et Orbi address on the coronavirus, the 58-year-old Church Diplomat said, “Philosophy plays a central role in reviving our ravaged society if we use it well. I urge you, therefore, to use your philosophies well to listen to the needs of our society, especially in this time of COVID-19.”

“Our world is in the ICU struggling for survival and it is in dire need of people with positive scholarship that can assist the world in combatting adversaries like the COVID-19 that is creating havoc in our modern human society,” the Nuncio said, expressing the hope that through knowledge acquired at the Nairobi-based Philosophy Institute, the graduates will be able to play a key role in the post-COVID-19 society.

Speaking at the same event, CIP Rector, Fr. James Kabata noted that because of the nature of philosophy, many people tend to consider it to be “an extraneous discipline, which has no practical significance.”

However, Fr. James said, “Philosophy has always played a critical role over the epoch in the reconstruction of the human society and still retains its relevance in the contemporary society marked by its challenges.”

“The traditional philosophical method of critical analysis and clarification are still important and applicable in the COVID-19 stricken society,” Fr. James who is a Franciscan Conventual Friar said at the ceremony that saw 105 graduates get diplomas in Philosophy and Religious studies.

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He added, “I believe that COVID-19 came as a human problem and therefore it needs a human solution. This does not mean that we exclude God in finding the solution.” 

“It is only through critical analysis of the nature of the COVID-19 crisis and posing fundamental philosophical questions on it that we can come out of this crisis with solutions that will enable us to reconstruct our society,” said Fr. James.

Started in 1970 by the Consolata Missionaries in Kenya, CIP aims at giving students a reflective and critical knowledge of the mystery of humanity, the world and God in preparation for theological studies and other relevant disciplines. Those enrolled at the Institute receive an initial academic preparation that aims at Catholic Priesthood and earn Diplomas and Bachelor of Arts degrees in philosophy.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.