Nairobi, 29 July, 2021 / 8:12 pm (ACI Africa).
The need for the Laity in Africa to connect with members of the Clergy and women and men Religious at a time when people across the globe are struggling with COVID-19 challenges has been emphasized at a virtual conference organized by the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA).
In the Wednesday, July 28 webinar organized under the theme, “Psychosocial Wellness and Psychospiritual Counseling for Clergy in the midst of COVID Crisis,” a panelist explained how the difference in family dynamics between the Laity and members of the Clergy justifies his appeal to the lay faithful.
“The laity may need to understand that they are living in families while the Religious have their family members and spiritual families so the task is more difficult than theirs,” Fr. Marcellin Ouedraogo said, highlighting the need for the Laity in Africa to reach out to members of the Clergy and women and men Religious.
The difference in the family dynamics, Fr. Ouedraogo explained, “means that the lay people can pay more attention to the Religious people because in this situation, the Religious can easily go into isolation, depression or even suicidal attempts or thoughts because of their state of life.”
In his presentation during the July 28 virtual session, the Burkinabe Catholic Priest who is currently studying at the Nairobi-based Marist International University College further said, “We used to care for the lay people but coronavirus came and made us understand that the Clergy, the Religious people need caring, closeness to overcome their stresses.”
