By Arnold Neliba
NAIROBI, JULY 16, 2021 (CISA)– The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has called on archdioceses and dioceses to plan initiatives to mark the newly instituted World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to be marked every fourth Sunday of July.
The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly celebration was established by Pope Francis on January 31 will for the first time be celebrated on Sunday 25th July 2021 on the theme, “I am with you always.” the midpoint of the Amoris Laetittia Family Year
“The purpose of this day is to convey to every elderly person that God and the Church are close to them and also to emphasize intergenerational closeness between young and old,” reads a statement signed by Most Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde, Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mombasa and Chairman of the KCCB.
“I write to call upon each Arch/Diocese to plan initiatives to mark the event in a way best suited to their pastoral context. This World Day could be a great opportunity for coming together of grandparents, and grandchildren, the young and the old,” Archbishop Kivuva has urged.
The archbishop tasked the KCCB Commission for Pastoral and Lay Apostolate in collaboration with the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life to make available pastoral tools to the dioceses. The theme for the celebration is
The statement further noted that the elderly face the risk of isolation and loneliness, “The older persons have unique challenges that are socio-economic, emotional and physical… The Covid-19 pandemic has predisposed the elderly to more vulnerabilities,” adding that the Holy Father calls on the Church to “Care for the elderly, going to them with, “A smile on your face and the Gospel in your hands.”
