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CNS Story:
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KENYA-YOUTHS Mar-18-2008 (250 words) xxxi
Nairobi cardinal cautions Kenyan youths not to be used by politicians
By Francis Njuguna
Catholic News Service
NAIROBI, Kenya (CNS) -- Nairobi Cardinal John Njue has cautioned Kenyan youths against allowing themselves to be misused by politicians to cause chaos.
He said that during the country's recent postelection violence it was clear that some young people were used by politicians to burn houses, rendering many people homeless.
"If you did not participate in the mayhem during the dark days of our postelection violence, most probably the end result would have been different. You accepted to be misused by some politicians," he said March 16.
Cardinal Njue addressed a large gathering of young Catholics from around the Archdiocese of Nairobi during celebrations for World Youth Day. Although World Youth Day will be celebrated internationally in Australia in July, many dioceses around the world have local celebrations on Palm Sunday, which was March 16.
The cardinal said the future of the church, the nation and the family depended on young people. He also reminded them that the church had a special mission for the young people, and they should reciprocate by remaining close to church teaching.
A day after the cardinal spoke, the New York-based Human Rights Watch accused ruling and opposition politicians of orchestrating the postelection violence, in which an estimated 1,000 people were killed and more than 300,000 were displaced.
On March 17, the Kenyan government appealed to the international community for $400 million for an emergency reconstruction program.
END
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This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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