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Kenyan Catholic Archdiocese Encourages Couples to Wed in Church as Part of 2025 Jubilee Year Celebrations

The Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (ADN) in Kenya is encouraging those in the Archdiocese who have not solemnized their marriages to embrace the sacrament of Matrimony during the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year as a way to strengthen families.

In his message on Tuesday, January 21, Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe, one of the two Auxiliary Bishops of ADN, spoke of “Jubilee marriages” and their role in fostering hope and faith within families.

“In the Archdiocese of Nairobi, we would like to put this theme of hope in the context of the family. We are planning and encouraging the Jubilee marriages so that when people solemnize their marriage, they can open the channels through which they are going to be receiving the benefits of the Eucharist and other sacraments like the sacrament of reconciliation,” Bishop Kamomoe said.

He added, “We are going to encourage not only those who have not solemnized their marriages but also those who are living together and already have the sacrament to revitalize the efficacy of the sacrament of marriage.”

The Archdiocese intends to promote marriages during the 2025 Jubilee Year at multiple levels, all the way from Small Christian Communities (SCCs).

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The Kenyan Catholic Bishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry in April last year said the Archdiocese also intends to consecrate families to the kingship and shepherd-hood of Jesus Christ.

“We like to make it more elaborate, not just the way we bless families, but we would like to consecrate families and dedicate all the families to the kingship and shepherdhood of Christ as the source of hope,” he said.

Bishop Kamomoe emphasized that the reign of Christ in families and society could lead to peace and hope.

The Archdiocese aims to catechize Christians, helping them understand and receive the plenary graces associated with the Jubilee Year, Bishop Kamomoe said, underscoring the importance of early education in cultivating hope within families.

He noted that young people often struggle with resilience and strength in the face of challenges, saying, “We need to educate our families and remind them that this year will come back after 25 years. Let us make use of this year.”

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In his message, the Bishop who is in charge of KCCB’s Justice & Peace Department encouraged all dioceses in Kenya to promote peace and justice during the Jubilee Year, disclosing Church plans to launch the Lenten campaign with a focus on instilling hope and confidence among the people.

“We are not just consoling people. We would like to give people confidence in life so that even if they have challenges, they can still achieve their goals,” he said.

He added, “We need to catechize them for them to be well grounded in their faith.”

Pope Francis officially launched the 2025 Jubilee Year on the Eve of Christmas 2024 with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Announcing the start of a Year of Prayer on 21 January 2024 in preparation for the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, the second in his Pontificate after the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2015, the Holy Father said that the yearlong initiative will be “dedicated to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer in one’s personal life, in the life of the Church, and in the world.”

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In his message at the same event, Bishop Dominic Kimengich of Kenya's Eldoret Diocese emphasized the significance of the Jubilee Year in reaching marginalized communities and fostering the spirit of equality.

Bishop Kimengich expressed optimism that the message of the Jubilee Year would reach communities who he said are on the periphery and are struggling.

The Bishop underlined the need for the hope of Christ and the Jubilee to extend to areas where despair is prevalent due to lack of resources.

He described the Year of Jubilee as a time for “equalization”, urging those with resources to consider the needs of those without and to extend help. Bishop Kimengich expressed hope that the Jubilee year would also promote peace and reconciliation, especially in regions affected by conflicts.

Bishop Kimengich called on politicians to embrace reconciliation during the Jubilee Year, saying, “We hope that this year of Jubilee will also be a moment for even our politicians to reflect on the way they are taking our country and see this year of Jubilee as a moment of beginning again, thinking about the good of our country and thinking about how even to reconcile.”

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Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.