HOLY FATHER GIVES THANKS FOR CHURCH'S GROWTH IN KENYA

VATICAN CITY, MAY 20, 1999 (VIS) - The members of the Kenya Episcopal Conference, in Rome for their quinquennial "ad limina" visit, were welcomed by the Pope this morning who, in his talk to them, expressed "gratitude to the Lord of the harvest" for "the vigor and vitality of the Church in Kenya as she continues to increase."

He noted that, since their last such visit, "two new dioceses have been erected and an apostolic vicariate established." Kenya's 6.6 million Catholics comprise 20 percent of the total population.

The Holy Father highlighted the bishops' "praiseworthy concern for the spiritual and religious welfare of your people in the context of the overall political, social and economic situation of your country." He said "this has immediate repercussions in the lives of the faithful, indeed of all Kenyans."

He then spoke of the diocesan- and parish-level initiatives "which provide effective forums for presenting the Church's social teaching. In fact, the healthy social order to which the citizens of Kenya aspire calls for a renewed moral and political culture of responsibility. ... Without a solid moral foundation no citizenry would be capable of properly exercising its political functions. Only in prudence, justice, temperance and courage can the choices be made ... which are truly conducive to the well-being of the nation."

John Paul II pointed to today's changing societies which "present Catholics with challenges for the living out of their Christian commitment, especially in the area of family life." He urged the prelates to "place a high priority on the pastoral care of families," encouraging the faithful "to be steadfast in embracing the ideals of Christian marriage and family life."

Turning to "the Church as God's family," and quoting the final document from the African synod, the Pope stated: "The new evangelization ... will aim at 'building up the Church as Family, avoiding all ethnocentrism and excessive particularism, trying instead to encourage reconciliation between different ethnic groups, favoring solidarity and the sharing of personnel and resources among the particular Churches, without undue ethnic consideration."

He said "this concept must be an integral part of all formation within the Church," that of the laity, especially youth and catechists, of seminarians and those committed to the consecrated life, and the continuing formation of priests. When the laity understand that "they belong to the Church and the Church belongs to them," and are committed to this," it "will help Catholics to avoid being lured away from the practice of their faith by other religious traditions and by the sects which are becoming ever more numerous in Kenya."

John Paul II spoke of the formation of seminarians, saying: "Care must be taken to avoid imparting models of the priesthood which are too clerical or authoritarian in nature, with the result that future priests find it difficult to work closely with lay people and to acknowledge their role and talents. ... The parish priest remains the leader, but he cannot - and should not - do everything himself."

The Holy Father exhorted the bishops to be close to their priests, particularly those "who may be faltering in fidelity to their vocation, and you must never tire of insisting that ministerial priesthood is not a profession or a means of social advancement. Rather, it is a sacred ministry. The Gospel demands that bishops should deal promptly, frankly and resolutely with any situation which scandalizes the flock or weakens the credibility of the Church's witness."

He dedicated closing remarks to praising both the work of members of institutes of religious and apostolic life, and the generosity of missionaries and catechists.

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