09/02/2024
Today members of the CJJPD took part in the national Lenten campaign launch on Embu.
We would like to share a summary of the special message from our Bishop, his Lordship John Oballa Owaa delivered during the 2024 National Lenten campaign launch:
▫️The theme for this year is "Integrity for a just nation"..."Uadilifu kwa taifa lenye haki"
▫️We need to be whom we ought to be whether one is watching or not.
▫️In the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus emphasizes the preferential option for the poor, neglected and marginalized in the society.
▫️We are called to be agents of ensuring a just nation by being converted to be people of integrity who speak about injustices in our nation.
▫️We need to address inequalities and focus on the common good.
▫️We focus (in week 1) on the need to respect the sovereignty of the people for the common good - which requires their involvement in public policies and governance.
▫️The right to clean, safe and adequate water (week 2) and care for our environment is key to enhancing the quality of life of our people (water is life) but today, not everyone has access to it.
▫️The challenges of high cost of living (week 3) coupled with high taxation has adverse effects on the poor and needs our reflection to address this challenge collectively.
▫️ We are called upon to address the challenges of religious Extremism (week 4) which has brought immense suffering to the poor - the Shakahola incidents are still fresh in our minds.
▫️ Emerging threats to the family (week 5) fueled by the digital erra has eroded communal interactions and requires parents to spend quality time with children and instill good morals and correcting emerging trends that may take them astray.
The Lenten period gives us a unique opportunity to pray together and reflect on the issues affecting us and our people and come up with ways to address them.