By Njoki Githinji
BURA, MARCH 2, 2021 (CISA)-Archbishop Martin Kivuva of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa on February 27 launched the 8th borehole at Our Lady of Hope Shrine, Bura which is one among 50 boreholes the Archdiocese is sinking to curb an acute clean water shortage in the Archdiocese.
According to the archbishop, the water project is supported by the Cross Catholic Outreach from America, in collaboration with Caritas to help the archdiocese access clean water.
The launch took place during the 5th annual Archdiocesan pilgrimage to Bura in an event that also saw the launching of the 2021 Lenten Campaign and launch of the Year of St. Joseph as instituted by Pope Francis. To mark the year of St. Joseph, the Archbishop unveiled a statue of St. Joseph that will be circulating from deanery to deanery in the Archdiocese throughout the year of St. Joseph.
“As we go around each deanery with St. Joseph, we will identify a befitting place where we will sink a borehole to serve people with water. In each deanery we will identify a place that is most affected by water scarcity,” Archbishop Kivuva said.
The archbishop also ordained four priests and four deacons. The priests were Fr Antony Kiilu, Fr Joachim Kioko, Fr Eric Onyango, and Fr Patrick Kazungu. The four deacons were Joseph Mbongo Mbaru, Mudali Madegwa, Gabriel Mutunga, and Timothy Kioko.
Addressing the newly ordained priests and deacons, Archbishop Kivuva urged them to promote unity among the people and protect the most vulnerable.
“Work hard in gathering the faithful into one family, that you may be guided by God the Father for the sake of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Fix your eyes unto your good shepherd, who came to serve and not to be served. Who came to seek and save the lost…Let us not discriminate against people of God in view of their tribe, religion or class. Be quick in bringing God’s people together as the flock of Christ,” the Archbishop said.
“Following the example of St. Joseph, be keen to recognize God’s voice through his angels. Purpose to protect, to defend families and to shelter children, the elderly and the defenseless. Protect them and relocate them to safe places,” he added.
The prelate called on them to work towards restoring those who have wandered away from the faith.
“Let us always follow the example of Christ. We are called to be inclusive. Not as a small club of believers, the honest and holy ones. All of us are sinners. Let us bring back all those who have gone away. Am aware there are those who have left the religion and the faith because of our actions and words that drive away rather than draw people to God,” he said.
