The Catholic legislator lauded the Church for organizing Fr. Kaiser’s anniversary celebration arguing that having open memorials reminds the government of impunity and cover-ups in the country and the duty of the state to protect human life.
The protection of human life is among the national values and principles of governance to which the Constitution of Kenya gives prominence, the legislator said and added that this is “in line with the Catholic teachings that life begins at conception.”
“Fr. Kaiser stands out for his courage of conviction, his allegiance to the truth and his preparedness to fight for the voiceless,” the Catholic legislator told ACI Africa at the venue of the memorial Mass.
Auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Nairobi, David Kamau presided over the memorial Mass. In his homily, he challenged the congregation to examine how their lives impact others.
“We are crying for Kaiser because of the life he lived,” Bishop Kamau said and posed, “Who will cry when you die?”
The memorial took place at St. Mary’s Mukuru parish situated in the East of Nairobi.
This year’s memorial service was hosted by St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mukuru slum in Nairobi.
“I have been inspired by the speakers of the day,” one of the parishioners at the slum parish told ACI Africa adding in reference to the challenge to reach out to others, “I will rise with the little that I have and help where I can.”
“This day is important as it gives us a chance to reflect on the Catholic social teaching about the dignity of human life,” one of the organizers of the event, Simon Muiruri told ACI Africa.
“As the Catholic Church remembers Fr. Kaiser today, we also remember victims of historical injustices and the oppressed and vulnerable in our society who have suffered and continue to suffer injustices,” reads in part a statement on the occasion of the 19thanniversary of Fr. Kaiser signed by the Bishop-Chair for Justice and Peace Commission of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), John Oballa Owaa.
