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KENYA-LENT Feb-18-2008 (350 words) xxxi
Kenyan cardinal appeals to Catholics to reconcile during Lent
By Francis Njuguna
Catholic News Service
NAIROBI, Kenya (CNS) -- A Kenyan cardinal has appealed to Kenyans to reconcile with each other during Lent.
In a pastoral letter released Feb. 17, Cardinal John Njue of Nairobi, president of the Kenya Episcopal Conference, called on Catholics "to take an extra step forward to reflect deeply on the word of God, our heritage, and apply it to the current situation so that the mystery of salvation we are to experience in these 40 days may assist us to be reconciled with God and with one another."
Noting the bloodshed, destruction of property and internal displacement since a contested election in late December, Cardinal Njue reminded Christians of their responsibility and obligation to actively participate in the reconciliation and healing process.
"To bring about the kingdom of God here on earth, we need to honestly question ourselves if this crisis of killing innocent lives and the burning and destruction of property are compatible with Christian life," said the cardinal. "I'm convinced that you will agree with me they are not."
This destruction is not the work of pagans and strangers, he said, urging perpetrators to feel remorse, repent and make restitution for the damages done.
"We are encouraged by the mediation talks that are currently under way, and I urge you to participate actively by contributing to it by way of prayer, and restrain from utterances that jeopardize the good end," he said.
More than 1,000 people have been killed and 600,000 people have been displaced in the violence since the Dec. 27 election results were announced.
A team of mediators, led by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, has been making frantic efforts to help resolve the country's political impasse between President Mwai Kibaki, who was declared to be re-elected, and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Cardinal Njue noted that in several areas insecurity has made it impossible for people to access their church buildings. He noted, however, that the church is the sign of hope at all times and in all places and that people -- not buildings -- are the church.
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Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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