Nairobi: The Catholic Church must remain close to people facing poverty, unemployment, family problems and other forms of hardship, Bishop John Oballa Owaa of the Diocese of Ngong in Kenya has said.
Speaking about the Church's role in a rapidly changing region, Bishop Oballa Owaa said the Church must be willing to engage directly with the difficulties experienced by local communities rather than remain separate from them.
The Diocese of Ngong covers about 39,000 square kilometres south of Nairobi and has a population of around 2.2 million people. Catholics make up about 15 percent of the population. The diocese was established as an Apostolic Administration in 1959 and became a diocese in 1976. It is celebrating its Golden Jubilee this year.
The bishop said the diocese continues its mission through evangelization, education, livelihood programmes and health outreach. Its work also responds to major changes affecting the region, including the growth of urban centres on land traditionally used for pastoralism and increasingly unpredictable climate conditions affecting communities that depend on livestock.
He also pointed to wider challenges such as inequality, corruption and poverty.
A major concern for the bishop is the situation of young people. He said the number of vocations to the priesthood is growing, with the diocesan seminaries currently full, but stressed that this also creates a responsibility to provide strong formation.
Bishop Oballa Owaa said young people should not be viewed only as the citizens and Christians of the future. They are already active members of society and the Church.
Many young people, however, face unemployment and a lack of opportunities to develop their professional careers and vocations. The bishop said some can also become vulnerable to political manipulation, including being recruited to take part in political campaigns and protests.
He expressed concern about young people facing violence and abuse, including during peaceful demonstrations.
The issue of youth was also raised directly by young people during the AMECEA plenary assembly in Nairobi. They called on bishops to remain close to them, work alongside them and help them deal with questions surrounding their identity.
Bishop Oballa Owaa said the Church's response should go beyond accompanying young people. He stressed the importance of training them to reach and support their peers, while providing mentors who can guide them.
He also linked many of the difficulties faced by young people to problems within families. Rising separation, unstable marriages and homes that are unable to provide children with protection and stability can leave young people particularly vulnerable.
In the Diocese of Ngong, centres such as Tone la Maji, run by the Koinonia Community and founded by Fr. Renato Kizito Sesana, provide support for street children and young people. The diocese has 11 centres serving different needs, including care for street children, protection of girls at risk of early marriage and support for orphans.
The bishop said these facilities can give children who have experienced serious difficulties in their families an opportunity to recover, return to school and rebuild their lives.
The Church's social work also includes providing food and financial assistance, celebrating Mass and offering mental health and psychological support through trained staff.
For Bishop Oballa Owaa, such work is part of the Church's mission rather than something separate from evangelization. He said the Gospel also has a social dimension and requires the Church to respond to injustice.
The bishop stressed that the Church cannot distance itself from the suffering of the people it serves. He said its responsibility is to remain present in the middle of these realities and work alongside communities facing hardship.