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Regional Catholic University in Kenya Urged to Form Ethical, “value-based future leaders"

Archbishop Philip Anyolo of Nairobi Archdiocese during CUEA’s 41st graduation ceremony on October 28. Credit: CUEA

The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) has been challenged to have, as an objective, the formation of ethical and “value-based future leaders”.

Archbishop Philip Anyolo of Nairobi Archdiocese who made the challenge during CUEA’s  41st graduation ceremony on October 28 decried the tendency to shun family and religious values.

“We as a university should pursue avenues of growth in academics and research only if that growth gives us an opportunity to form our students into ethical leaders and ambassadors of our values,” Archbishop Anyolo said.

Addressing himself to the 2,500 candidates who were graduating from the Catholic institution belonging to the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), the Kenyan Archbishop called for carrying on of good practices from CUEA.

“Graduands, as you take your first steps into the rest of your life after such a great achievement, please remember the values CUEA has taught you over the years you have been a student in this university,” the 66-year-old Kenyan Archbishop who started his Episcopal Ministry in February 1996 as the Bishop of Kenya’s Kericho Diocese said.

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He cautioned the graduands against giving “into immorality because life is tough, rather hold on the values you learnt here for they will help you to navigate the murky waters of life.” 

Archbishop Anyolo explained, “The shunning of values that are earned and learned in the family and in one’s place of worship is making the world accommodate immorality and injustice at higher levels than it has done in the last few centuries.”

To address the challenge of immorality, the Catholic Archbishop who has been at the helm of Nairobi Archdiocese since November 2021 underscored the need for institutions of higher learning to "consider forming young people into value-based future leaders."

On his part, the Archbishop of Kenya’s Nyeri Archdiocese who doubles as the Chairman of CUEA’s board of trustees reminded the graduands about their role as “ambassadors of CUEA”.

“You are ambassadors of CUEA out there, and you are therefore expected to give your best in what you do and to be a champion of values,” Archbishop Anthony Muheria said.

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Archbishop Muheria went on to list truthfulness, honesty and commitment as co-values that are necessary to transform the world and urged the graduands to embrace them.

“Let these co-values blossom and leave seeds in the arid environment of today’s world,” the Chairman of the Commission for Social Communications of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) said.

Carrying on the values learned from CUEA will help the graduands navigate the world and overcome the challenges of life, he said, and added, “As you leave this graduation square, realize that you must be courageous enough to surf the waves that life presents to you, as well as to be skilled enough to take full advantage of them.”

“Some of these waves that life will throw to you may at first seem insurmountable, even insurmountable threats. But with combined moral and professional and human skills you have acquired in this great university, you stand to turn them into wonderful opportunities,” the 59-year-old member of Opus Dei who started his Episcopal Ministry in January 2004 as the Bishop of Kenya’s Embu Diocese said.

He continued, “Do not be satisfied with what you have achieved. With the help of today’s technology, you have a million opportunities for virtual learning.”

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“Growth goes beyond academic and professional pursuits,” Archbishop Muheria said during the 41st CUEA graduation ceremony that was organized under the theme, “Expanding Opportunities for Growth through Quality Education and Training in the Context of Changing World Dynamics.”

Established in 1984 by AMECEA, CUEA strives to be a world class University producing transformative leaders for Church and Society.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.