Photographer: Jenny and Randy, travelblog.org

Church and State in Kenya calls for unity as Bishop Kioko is buried

The former bishop of Machakos, Urbanus Joseph Kioko, was buried last Friday in a ceremony attended by Kenyan bishops, and government officials including President Mwai Kibaki and Vice-president Kalonzo Musyoka, reports CISA News.

During a requiem Mass led by Cardinal John Njue at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos Town, the cardinal called on all Kenyans to unite and support the government in its reconciliation agenda to heal the country torn apart by post-election violence.

“Bishop Kioko always prayed for peace and as a last respect to him, let us all support the peace deal reached by President Kibaki and Raila Odinga. Let us build bridges and reach out to one another in brotherly love,” Njue said.

President Kibaki urged Kenyans to embrace the spirit of forgiveness as the only way the country can start the healing and move forward.

“Unless you chose to forgive, you will be carrying unnecessary pain in your hearts against people who have moved on”, he said. “Go to the person who burnt your house or stole your property and tell him, “I have forgiven you but don’t repeat it’. Unless you do that, this country will spend too much time talking about past things rather than concentrating on reconstruction.”

Bishop Kioko died of kidney failure on Sunday, March 2, after a long illness. He was buried at an underground tomb at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral Machakos.

New iPad POLL! VOTE NOW! Will you buy new iPad?

[03/20/2008]

Print Version