Refrain from preaching divisive politics, politicians told

A Catholic clergyman in Mombasa County has urged the politicians to refrain from preaching divisive politics amongst Kenyans.

He urged the politicians to preach a message of peace and unity in the country.

Speaking to the media in Mombasa, Kiembeni Catholic Church Priest Rev Father Vincent Alicho said political elites play a crucial role in enhancing peace throughout the country.

“I ask all Kenyans including our politicians to preach peace. As Kenyans, we cannot afford a repeat of what happened in the previous general elections,” he said

The priest further asked Kenyans to give alms to the less fortunate in society during this period the Catholic Church is marking the beginning of Lent.

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He called on the clergy to ensure that peace prevails, adding that they (clergy) are mandated to preach the gospel of peace to mankind.

“The church is all about humanity. It is high time we help our brothers and sisters by uplifting their standards of living. This we can do by giving them alms,” said Rev Alicho.

Drugs erode children’s moral fabric

Answering the question of drug and substance abuse amongst the youths, the priest urged the youth to avoid drugs saying it erodes their moral fabric in society.

He condemns the usage of drugs amongst the youth adding that it hurts their social life.

“Drugs kill. I appeal to our youths to shun taking drugs,” he said.

At the same time, the catholic faithful says parents play a vital role in ensuring their children remain safe from drug and substance usage.

Alicho lashed out at some parents adding that they have a habit of staying away from their children prompting them to engage in drug and substance abuse.

“Parents must even check on the conversations that their children have with their friends. Bad company ruins good morals. Unfortunately, some parents have a habit of standing aloof,”

The catholic priest further warned students who have a habit of burning schools saying they are burning their future and the future of this country.

Bits of Hangovers?

He attributes this habit of burning schools to the period the students have stayed out of school noting that they (students) are suffering some bits of ‘hangovers’

 “I believe it is because they have stayed away from school for too long. But this should not be a reason for burning our schools. Burning schools means burning the future of our children and the future of this country,” noted the catholic priest.

On Wednesday, Catholic faithfuls throughout the country flocked to churches to mark Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday is marked annually in the catholic calendar.

The day is marked annually in the Catholic calendar.

Normally Holy Ashes are applied at the forehead part of the faithful’s a reminder of repentance, doing good deeds to other people and always staying right with God.

Throughout the Lent period catholic faithful observe the way of the cross every Friday throughout the five weeks long lent period.