Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Fides Service/Cisa) – The spirit of ecumenism is lively in Kenya and it has been for some years. The Nairobi Ecumenical Group has a long history of ecumenical meetings and collaboration, especially between the Catholic St Paul’s University Chapel and the Presbyterian Parish of St Andrew. They organise twice a year an Ecumenical Round Table on the general theme of Christian Churches in Nairobi, with subjects such as Christians facing modern culture, poverty a challenge to Christians; building Christian solidarity in Nairobi; Politics as a Service: a Christian Responsibility. In January for the universal Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Nairobi Ecumenical Group organises a series of meetings held in turn in different Churches.
Another important group is the Mustard Seed Ecumenical Network (MUSEN) composed mainly of Greek Orthodox and Coptic Orthodox Churches and the Catholic Parish of the Consolata Shrine, with the occasional collaboration of the Presbyterian Community of S Andrew’s parish.
MUSEN is celebrating its first anniversary. It was founded in the context of the Ecumenical Prayer Week 2003 held at the Consolata Shrine. This year MUSEN will attend services at the Copt Church and at the Consolata Shrine.
Kenya also has the Kibera Ecumenical Encounter group, composed of Anglicans Lutherans and Catholics and the Kibera Inter-religious Forum for Peace and Development. Both groups organise monthly meetings for clergy to share pastoral experience and discuss important social problems. The meetings are held in different parishes in turn in a spirit of brotherhood and openness.
There is also the Ngong Road Ecumenical Encounter group is the expression of Christian neighbourhood among the pastors of the 7 Christian communities along Ngong Road. The pastors share more personal insights and forge real brotherhood among themselves and their people.
Christian Churches also work together on humanitarian and charitable undertakings. For example the Africa Refugee Programme (ARP), and ecumenical aid organisation which assists refugees from Burundi.
The Hospital’s Pastoral Team assists all the patients, irrespective of their religion. The Pastoral Team members work together with reciprocal respect for the traditions of the different churches. (L.M.) (Fides Service 17/1/2004 lines 38 words 422)
