Photos by Stephen Mukhongi
João Cardinal Bráz de Aviv, Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes
Bishop Anthony Mkobo, Chairman KCCB – Commission for Clergy
of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, explained the
and Religious challenged consecrated men and women to go out
importance of consecrated life in the Church.
and send missionaries to the grassroots.
Send them to the Grassroots
Bishop Mukobo of the Catholic Diocese
of Isiolo shared Cardinal Bráz de Aviv
sentiments and challenged consecrated
men and women in urban areas like
Nairobi to go out and send missionaries
to the grassroots.
“Open your walls here in Nairobi and go
On the formation of consecrated men
individual to communion. Today we are
and women, the cardinal said that
called to empty ourselves above all in
formation must move from being static
front of God,” he said.
in order to be dynamic. “In this sense
the disciple of Jesus and a disciple of a
charism is someone who is ever learning.
Perfectionism is a serious sickness.”
The issue of power in consecrated life
Speaking during the same event, His
Eminence John Cardinal Njue called
on consecrated men and women to
“live passionately for Christ and for the
Church” despite all the challenges facing
them including; decreasing vocations,
out and communicate the Good News to
Cardinal Bráz de Aviv while tackling
the people. Form your people here but
the issue of power, authority and money,
let them have pastoral experience outside
said, “We have to change our way of
in different places such as Malindi and
living authority and obedience in order
“This can wonderfully become a moment
Lodwar.”
not to fall into relativism.”
of renewal and reenergizing yourself… I
The prelate called on the consecrated
“Our obedience should be like that of
people to emulate Pope John XXIII who
Abraham and Moses but above all like
prior to opening the second Vatican
that of Jesus. The authority and those who
The weeklong convention saw Cardinal
council said, “I want to throw open the
obey can make this happen only if they
Bráz de Aviz celebrate Holy Mass with
windows of the Church so that we can
are brothers,” he said.
the cloistered nuns from 16 different
see out and the people can see in.”
“There are no super di