ARTICLES

Priest prays for end to violence in Kenya

By Barbara Hughes
Special to The Catholic Virginian

A hundred flickering votive candles cast a somber hue over the darkened church.

With hearts and voices raised, Father Ernest Bulinda, pastor at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Norfolk, prayed for an end to the suffering in Kenya at a prayer service, Friday, January 25.

A native of Kenya, the priest spoke words which were particularly poignant. Only a week earlier, he learned that violence had cost his sister-in-law, Leonida Atsango, her life.

At the age of 36, she left behind a husband and four children, ages 4, 6, 13, and 15. Another brother had his home burned and “all are in danger,” said the priest.

“There is so much pain in the world. Lord, what as human beings have we done,” prayed Fr. Bulinda.

“In my Diocese of Nakuru, 30 people have died, 12 from my parish and thousands have been displaced.

“I am surprised that the bishops have not spoken out against the violence,” said the priest. “Normally, they would speak to the people and ask them to come together for the love of Christ.

“It frightens me if the bishops are siding with the politicians,” he said.

He pointed out that Cardinal John Nju did speak out against the violence within the last few days and “some of the nuns have done the same,” said Fr. Bulinda.

Then he added, “Perhaps with so many displaced people flocking to the churches, they are keeping busy feeding them and handing out blankets.”

Fr. Bulinda spoke with his former bishop, the Most Reverend Peter Kairo, recently and learned that 50,000 people had come to the cathedral seeking assistance.

“The senseless violence; people sacrificing themselves, and for what?” lamented the priest.

“If only people would stop and think about what they are doing. So many children are orphans and 17 schools have been torched.”

“The children and infants, the innocents are dying. We called this prayer meeting to beg God’s help.

“People are praying all over the world today to end the suffering in Kenya, Darfur and the Congo,” he said.

Fr. Bulinda fears the situation could become another Rwanda.

“This is not random killing,” he said. “It’s all about tribes.”

Although there are 58 tribes in Kenya, the fighting is taking place between the Luo and the Kikuyu.

“It’s taking place at the grassroots and goes all the way back to land issues of early independence. That’s what’s frightening,” he said.

Kenya is about 25 percent Catholic and about 30 percent Protestant, but the large Christian population doesn’t seem to make any difference.

“They’re not thinking about God,” he said.

And yet there are examples of people sacrificing their lives for one another.

Fr. Bulinda told the story of a 16-year-old girl whose life was saved by a neighbor who hid her under a bed. Although she was from another tribe, the man told his family, “She is our friend. We cannot let her die.”

“If all thought and acted like this father, the world would be very different,” said Fr. Bulinda.

During the prayer service the priest sang the Kenyan National Anthem in his native tongue. The words sound more like a prayer than a national anthem.

“O God of all creation, bless this land our nation. Justice be our shield and defender; may we dwell in unity, peace and liberty, plenty be found within our borders.”

Following the Scripture readings, a Litany for Peace and prayers and reflections on peace were offered.

Three nuns from Kenya who reside in Portsmouth and work at Maryview Hospital sang a Kenyan hymn. Fr. John Dorgan and Fr. Thomas Quinlan, former pastors at the Basilica, were also present.

In closing Fr. Bulinda told those who came to pray. “We need to humble ourselves and pray for forgiveness. We will find peace when we stop looking at what divides us, (and) focus on what unites us and dare to follow the Lord.”

read related article »

back to top »