The Catholic Church in Kenya has called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Addressing the media after presiding over a Christmas Mass at the Holy Ghost Cathedral Catholic Church in Mombasa, Archbishop Martin Musonda Kivuva said there should be no more bloodshed.
Archbishop Kivuva said innocent lives were being lost in this kind of scuffle, where children and women had to contend with daily bombings, which was not pleasing to God at all.
The prelate further said these were very depressing times for the church worldwide as the war continued in the ‘Holy Land.’
“With God everything is possible, hence its possible for the combatants to end this unnecessary war and restore normalcy,” urged the cleric.
Flanked by the Mombasa Archdiocese Vicar General Fr. Amorghast Mdawida and the Diocesan Communication Director Fr. Raphael Kanga, Archbishop Kivuva also decried misinterpretation over the church’s stand on LGBTQ being blessed.
“On 18th December this year, the church at its Vatican Headquarters issued a statement christened Fiducia Supplicans following direct authorization by His Holy See on such blessings and its interpretation,” he said, adding that it has led to lots of concern over what the church stand is over the LGBTQ.
The prelate went on to add that following the statement, it is evident that the masses are asking whether the church on its stand on offering blessings has okayed LGBTQ unions.
“As the Catholic Bishops of Kenya, we wish to notify all and sundry that the Pope has been at the forefront in ensuring that we do not discriminate against human beings irrespective of their affiliations, character and/ or background,” he said.
Archbishop Kivuva added that the church maintains its stand on blessing conferred for marriage individuals being male and female only.
However, he stated that the church is keen to reach out to all and sundry, with the hope that people can change their ways of living and return to God.
“In the real African context, and when we consider who we are, same-sex marriage is not permitted. Therefore, the Vatican statement is out to give due consideration for repentance and does not in any way encourage blessing for same-sex marriage,” he said.
Archbishop Kivuva emphasized that the work of the church is to bring together all those who have gone astray, bring them back onboard and ensure that they taste salvation.
“There cannot be any blessings done and conferred upon outside what the Holy teaching prescribes,” he added.
By Sadik Hassan
