By CISA
KILIFI, MAY 21, 2021 (CISA)-Religious Leaders in Kilifi County drawn from Coast Interfaith Council of Clerics (CICC) have highlighted difficulties in offering humanitarian and psychological support to the vulnerable asking the government to fully recognize them as essential service providers in the fight against Covid-19 Pandemic.
In a joint address to the media after an Interdenominational Breakfast Meeting at the Bishop Willybard Lagho’s Residence in Malindi on May 17, the clerics noted that there are regions in the country where religious leaders and places of worship remain the most reliable and trusted source of information and centers of psychosocial support.
“People look up to God, and so through religious leaders, for guidance and comfort at their most difficult times,” said Bishop Lagho calling for classification of religious entities as essential service providers, Sauti ya Jimbo, the Malindi diocesan blog reported.
“…for a disease with no known cure, preventive measures must be prioritized. India, with her advanced curative care system, is now overwhelmed in the fight against Covid-19 and we can learn from her experience that prevention is better than cure,” Rt. Rev. Willybard Lagho, bishop of the Catholic diocese of Malindi said, calling on the government to consider employing more public health officials.
Bishop Amos Lewa of Joy Fellowship Ministries and the Secretary General of CICC noted that religious leaders continue to face difficulties in providing psychological support to the vulnerable people, singling out cases of domestic disputes, which he says have forced religious leaders to intervene even during curfew hours.
The religious leaders committed to continue rallying worshippers to strictly adhere to the Covid-19 containment measures announced by the Ministry of Health. They welcomed the government to work closely with them in educating the public about the novel coronavirus and offering counselling services to those affected by the effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Other clerics present at the Breakfast Meeting were Very Rev. Canon John Ruwa Vicar General of Anglican Church of Kenya Malindi Diocese and the Chairman of CICC in Kilifi County, Bishop Alfred Magambo Overseer of Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa-PEFA in North Coast Region and Chairman of National Council of Churches in Kenya-NCCK Kilifi County, Rev. Paul Mutunga Overseer of Deliverance Churches North Coast Region and Chairman of CICC in Malindi Sub County, Rev. Fr. Damas Missanga and Fr Constantine Kimondo of Catholic Diocese of Malindi, Rev. Edward Kashuru of Calvary, Rev. Susan Wanyue of Cathedral of Praise International-CPI, Rev. Hunsellus Mwarabu of PEFA and Rev. Albert Murira of International Fellowship for Christ Ministries.
