NAKURU OCTOBER 11, 2016(CISA)-Over 20,000 Catholic faithful from all over the Country attended the National annual Prayer Day at the Marian Shrine, Subukia in the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru October 8.
The event was organized by the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri in conjunction with the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, Commission for Liturgy and Commission for Pastoral and Lay Apostolate.
In his homily during the Holy Mass to mark the annual prayer day on the theme “The Year of Mercy,” Archbishop Peter Kairo of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri urged Kenyans to pray for peace as the country prepares for the forthcoming 2017 General Elections.
“As Kenyans we must pray hard so that the 2017 polls are free, truthful and fair to all contestants and parties,” said Archbishop Kairo.
He urged the political leaders to avoid dividing Kenyans along tribal lines during their campaigns in the run up to next year’s elections.
The prelate further called on all Christians to extend acts of mercy in their various capacities and to be instruments of peace in the nation warning that “Kenyans should not repeat the mistakes that led to post election violence in 2007/2008.”
“The acts of Mercy include; feeding the hungry, giving shelter to the homeless, visiting the sick and the homeless, giving alms to the poor and comforting the sorrowful. Wherever there is a Christian, everyone should find an oasis of Mercy,” Waumini News quoted Archbishop Kairo as saying.
He called on the Dioceses to conduct civic education ahead of the general elections to enable Kenyans to vote for the right people without being compromised.
“It’s sad that some Kenyans are known to sell their voting cards for as little as Sh100.We should not allow this to happen among us, tell other people not to sell their voters cards,” he advised.
Other Bishops present at the Mass were Bishop Philip Anyolo Chairman of the Kenya Conference of the Catholic Bishops (KCCB). His vice Bishop John Obala Owaa,Maurice Muhatia of Nakuru, Dominic Kimengich of Lodwar, Joseph Mbatia of Nyahuru, Anthony Muheria of Kitui and the Apostolic Administrator of Machakos, Bishop Virgilio Pante of Maralal and priests from various dioceses across the country.
