KENYA: Calls for Safeguard of Environment Dominate National Prayer Day in Subukia

By Janet Kwamboka

NAKURU, OCTOBER 4, 2022 (CISA) -Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba of the Catholic archdiocese of Kisumu has urged Kenyans to safeguard the environment by planting and protecting trees.

In homily during the National prayer day held in Subukia in the Catholic diocese of Nakuru on Saturday October 1, the archbishop maintained that it is important to protect the environment as it is the source of all life.

“Trees originate from the earth. Human beings and animals were also created from earth. When God was creating us he ensured that our beginning involved with the earth. So we are obligated to take care of this earth as we are its descendants,” Archbishop Muhatia said.

His homily guided by this year’s theme God’s family journeying together in a united and environmentally sustainable Kenya the prelate cautioned people against cutting trees and advocated for our sources of lifestyle that does not involve cutting down of trees. He said “God gave us this earth so that we would cultivate it for food, but in the process, let’s safeguard the environment by not cutting down trees for charcoal and other uses.”

Further archbishop Muhatia urged Kenyans to avoid laziness saying, “we should be happy when we are working, as work is the meaning of being created in God’s likeness. God works every day.  Taking care of our environment is emulating God’s work.”

The National Prayer Day is an annual prayer day congregating faithful from all dioceses in Kenya for common Mass at the iconic Marian Shrine in Subukia. This year’s celebration was animated by the Metropolitan archdiocese of Kisumu.

Present were Catholic Bishops members of the Kenya Conference of catholic bishops led by their chairman Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde, Priests, men and women religious and thousands of faithful.