By Njoki Githinji
NAIROBI, JUNE 30, 2020 (CISA)-The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has called on youth and children to refrain from using social media negatively and spending endless hours on electronics during the prolonged stay at home.
“While Covid-19 may be with us for a while, you cannot allow yourselves to lose hope and allow social media, anxiety, boredom, negative peer pressure and destructive behavior ruin your life. Let us not use the time we have on endless hours of using electronics negatively to keep yourselves busy, instead let us draw up realistic routines to see how to use our time wisely,” the bishops said.
In a June 28 statement delivered by Bishop Anthony Ireri Mukobo, of the Apostolic Vicariate of Isiolo and chairman of the KCCB Commission for Liturgy, the prelates urged parents and caregivers to use this time to impart values and faith in their children.
“As a domestic Church, the family is called to proclaim celebrate and serve the gospel of life .It is here that the parents and caregivers impart the values of the gospel. These are values of respect, love, thanks giving, charity, forgiveness, endurance, selflessness and generosity. The home is the first school of faith, virtues and values,” the statement reads.
Recognizing the uncertainty clouding over students over the prolonged closure of school, the bishops emphasized the value of young people in the Church and society
“Our dear children and youth. You need to appreciate that you too are an indispensable part of the family and the Church. You are our hope. We are aware that during this prolonged stay at home, you are facing various challenges and wondering when this Covid-19 will be over,” it adds.
The message of the bishops comes days after the government announced a surge in number of teen pregnancies between March and June, as schools remain closed due to the Corona-virus pandemic.
