AFRICA/KENYA - “There can be no reconciliation without justice but there can be no peace without a desire and disposition to forgive” say Catholic religious superiors in Kenya in a statement on the roots of the present violence in the country

Tuesday, 29 May 2007

Nairobi (Fides Service)- At least 50 people have been arrested in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, in connection with investigations into shooting on Sunday 27 May in Kariobangi slum in which 5 people including a little girl of ten were killed. This is the latest in a serious of episodes of violence in Kenya (see Fides 28 May 2007), violence which the local Catholic Church has frequently denounced.
Recently Catholic religious superiors in Kenya issued a statement on the root causes of this violence. Fides received a copy of the statement from Catholic news agency in Nairobi CISA.
The religious identify five root causes: "the tribal element that goes back to the beginnings of the Republic; cult of personality that depends so heavily on tribal sentiments; the issue of the unfair distribution of land; the spectre of poverty due largely to neglect by successive governments; the unsettling awareness that outbreaks are too frequently linked to elections. Added to these roots - the Religious say - is the proliferation of small arms and border insecurity.
In this situation "The church must offer prophetic, responsible leadership while ever mindful of the crucial need to monitor that its own house is in order.
“ Forgiveness with justice has already proved to be a great social liberator and energiser, so it must be our starting point. “ We believe that a Peoples’ Truth Tribunal bringing together our people to give expression to the injustices perpetrated will be the starting point for the conversion needed to change the situation. This Tribunal should be driven by the desire to heal the wounds of the past rather than reopening them. While we believe that there can be no genuine reconciliation without justice we also counsel that there can be no peace without a desire and disposition to forgive”.
With forgiveness and reconciliation there must be development: “ the Government of the day should learn the lessons and integrate them into a more sensitively nuanced developmental program that really gives priority to the grossly neglected areas of the nation.”.
The religious Superiors stress the responsibility of the media to “promote national unity and not cause confusion through selective reporting, irresponsible sensationalism and misrepresentation of facts. In particular the media should be encouraged to seek out news items that enhance the image and self respect of neglected areas”.
The Catholic Religious of Kenya conclude recognising “a prophetic call to inspire their fellow citizens of the nation to greater unity by showing through the example of their own lives how multicultural living together is a blessing from God, that a simplicity of lifestyle is one of the great signs of a people trusting in that same God". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 29/5/2007 righe 41 parole 528)


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