Tuesday 10 June 2008

KENYA: Catholic Church Launches National Version of Catechism NAIROBI,


April 4, 2008 (CISA) -A Catholic catechism for Kenya was launched on Wednesday by Cardinal John Njue, chairman of the Kenya Episcopal Conference (KEC).At a ceremony attended by all bishops, at St Thomas Aquinas Seminary, Cardinal Njue described the launch as a “historic moment” in the country’s evangelization. Work on the catechism was commissioned by KEC five years ago. The book is published by Paulines Publications Africa.“This event is a fulfillment of that desire by Pope John Paul II that local catechisms be written to take into account the various situations, with the ‘Catechism of the Catholic Church’ as the reference point. This is the light in which the development of ‘A Catholic Catechism’ by the Kenyan bishops should be read,” Njue said.This Catechism is aimed at deepening understanding of the faith among Kenyan Catholics. “It has been a long cherished desire of KEC to bring home to our people this precious gift,” the cardinal said. “‘A Catholic Catechism’ not only presents faithfully the teaching of the sacred scripture but also lays special emphasis on the African context in which the faith is lived. It acknowledges the need for our people to identify with Christian faith despite their various cultural backgrounds.”This involves using whatever is beautiful in traditional cultures to deepen expression of the faith, while abandoning beliefs and practices that are contrary to the faith. The catechism, Njue said, will help in formulation of faith formation programs in schools and other institutions, adding that the local version of the catechism was among the first of its kind in the world, and should make the Catholic Church in Kenya proud.Sr Teresa Marcazzan of Paulines Publications Africa said it was the result of concerted efforts of theologians, pastors and catechists and is not only a positive step towards the celebration of the Second African Synod, but it will also assist Christian communities in proclaiming afresh the Gospel message, both in Kenya and in the English-speaking Countries of Africa. The many references to the African culture and context, as well as its simple, yet clear language, make this Catechism a real asset and a tool that will certainly shape catechesis and evangelization for years to come.Fr. Vincenzo Salemi, general editor and coordinator of the project, said that translations in Kiswahili, Kikuyu and Turkana will be available

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