At Installation of Kenya’s Military Bishop, Nuncio Lauds Defence Forces for Christ-like Sacrifice in Peacekeeping

“No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends,” the Dutch-born Vatican diplomat said referring to Christ’s words in the Gospels.

In his October 12 speech, Archbishop van Megen reflected on the cost of a peaceful coexistence which he said requires hard work to achieve. He said, “Peace does not come easy. It requires hard work.”

He emphasized that Christ’s death on the cross reconciled humanity with God and brought peace through a monumental act of suffering. "That is the work that Jesus did for us, so we could have peace with one another, peace with creation, and peace with God,” he said.

The Nuncio in Kenya cited ongoing global conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, which has claimed over 500,000 lives since 2020, and the escalating conflict in the Middle East, with 40,000 casualties, as stark reminders of the heavy price of peace.

“Think of the wars ongoing in countries not far from Kenya,” he said. These conflicts, he noted, cause widespread devastation and suffering.

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He reflected on the relationship between the Church and the Military, explaining that the Church has long recognized the necessity of armed forces for legitimate defense, provided they serve the cause of peace.

The 63-year-old Nairobi-based Vatican diplomat who started his service as Apostolic Nuncio in Sudan in 2014 acknowledged the KDF’s ongoing peacekeeping missions in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, calling them acts of justice that lead to peace.

He also stressed that military personnel must always respect human dignity and international humanitarian law, lamenting the increasing violations of these norms in conflicts, where civilians, especially women and children, often become targets or human shields.

The Nuncio affirmed the Church’s support for those serving in the KDF, recognizing their spirit of heroism and sacrifice.

“They are at the forefront in times of war and natural calamities,” he said, adding that the nation places its trust in them.  In addition, the Nuncio said that the military “do works of justice that lead to peace.”

In his speech on the same day, Bishop Wallace who attributed his inspiration to the Servant of God Michael Cardinal Otunga’s Love for Military pledged his support to the KDF, who he said had demonstrated dedication and selflessness in their service to the country.

“Cardinal Otunga’s love for the KDF, the Church, and the nation is an inspiration that I would like to carry forward,” the new Local Ordinary of Kenya’s Military Ordinariate said. 

He described the Military Ordinariate as a place where faith is planted and nurtured in the hands of those who stand ready to defend their nation as a sacred responsibility.

“You serve our nation with courage and integrity, and it is my mission to work with you, to provide spiritual leadership, and to be a source of strength in both moments of trial and triumph,” the Kenyan Catholic Bishop said.

He assured the Kenyan military that he is going to them not just as a leader but as “a shepherd, a pastor, and a father.”

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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.