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  Njue Tells Church Faithful to Fight on Despite Scandals

By Maseme Machuka
The Standard
June 28, 2009

http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144018099&cid=4

John Cardinal Njue assured Catholic faithful of their need to "fight on" despite the latest sex scandals facing the church.

Njue said the Catholic Church had not forced anyone into priesthood and whoever "wanted to opt out of that call (priesthood) was free to do so. What we do not want is when someone wants to drag others into quitting when you have realised as a priest you no longer can manage the call".

He said: "Worshippers do not be disturbed at that. Hold on to your faith. The Catholic Church has never forced anyone to be a priest. It only dictates that if you want to be one you have to subscribe to the principle of celibacy."

The prelate told many priests who were "tired of holding to the call to leave alone and not drag others with them".

"Kama unaona una taabu na umeshindwa, then do not disturb anyone else. Ulikuja peke yako, basi nenda peke yako. (If you find priesthood a challenge and you lose the call then leave. Stop urging others to leave with you)," added Njue.

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta urged wananchi to foster unity to avoid a repeat of post-election chaos.

Uhuru said the country lost a lot to the chaos that "did not benefit anyone".

He urged political leaders not to use violence as a vehicle to success, saying it was tantamount to taking the county backwards.

National leadership, said Uhuru, should not be tribally inclined adding, "bloodshed will not help you to get to power".

Void of tribe

"Tribal politics have given rise to more misery. Insecurity, poor roads and lack of services do not know any tribe. We need, as leaders, to foster good thoughts and aspirations in our people so as to have one nation that is void of tribe," he said.

The Finance Minister said politics deep-seated on ethnicity had led to lack of equitable distribution of resources.

"We need to overcome the tribe, whether you are a Luo, Kikuyu, Kalenjin or Kisii we should stand out and work for the national good,’ added the DPM.

He went on: "The people of this country do not care what tribe you are. What unites them is their misery. All they want is service. If there is equitable distribution of resources then we will have everlasting peace."

Njue and the minister were speaking during a funds drive in aid of Tassia Catholic Church.

Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu was present at the function.

Uhuru said the youth were involved in crime due to joblessness, "and the work that we need to do is give them jobs for them to denounce and stop criminal activities".

Accompanied by Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu, Uhuru hailed unity in the coalition Government, saying it was the only sure way of addressing the myriad challenges the country faced.

Mr Waititu said it was imperative that the two principals work together to avoid a clash that derails offering services to the people.

 
 

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