Don’t “take pandemic as an opportunity to deviate from family values”: Bishops in Kenya

“Rather, we should take it as a God-given moment to rethink and reflect on the meaning and the values of a family and fruits of marriage and to remember that daily love and forgiveness are the pillars of every family,” the Bishops add.

“In our world today, there are many happy families, just as there are some families that are struggling to remain happy and harmonious, especially during this difficult time,” Bishop Wambua who is also the Chairman of the Family Life National Office of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) said on behalf of the Bishops.

The Bishops invite the people of God “to reflect on the family as a gift from God and the pillar of strength during good and bad times” amid the challenges at the level of the family.

They invoke the words of Pope Francis’ in the 2016 Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the pastoral care of families, Amoris Laetitia saying “crises form part of the life of every family.”

“We are reminded that in the family, we are called to live the love of God concretely, and on the other hand to grow in mutual love, the characteristics of which are beautifully outlined in St Paul's hymn of charity: Love is patient, kind, not jealous or boastful,” the Bishops say.

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“Promotion of unity, cooperation, constructive communication, empathy, forgiveness, mutual understanding, appreciation and sheer enjoyment of one another's company” are essential in maintaining healthy and happy relationships in families, the Bishops say, adding that a healthy family is where members foster a good relationship with God and among each other.

“We urge the family to pray together, read the Word of God, evangelize and express mutual respect,” Bishop Wambua who is the Local Ordinary of Kenya’s Machakos Diocese said, encouraging “spouses to share their thoughts and cooperate in the upbringing of their children.”

Addressing the recent tribal clashes in Narok County located west of capital city Nairobi that have led to the loss of lives, destruction of property and fear among the area residents, the Bishops commend the Government for calling for dialogue between the warring communities and call on political leaders “to shun divisive politics and instead demonstrate servant leadership.”

They reiterate their commitment to continue working with State and non-State actors for the common good amid COVID-19 difficulties and encourage Kenyans to pray and support the vulnerable people in the society including the sick, the poor, the elderly, the vulnerable and persons with special needs.