“Children should not feel silenced by their mothers or fathers. Young people should feel free to speak with their parents, whether father or mother, without fearing that they will be beaten or denied pocket money or told they are useless,” Archbishop Kivuva said.
Reflecting on the Golden Jubilee of Consolata Likoni Parish of his Metropolitan See, the Local Ordinary of Mombasa Archdiocese called upon parents and guardians to establish their respective families on faith foundation drawing inspiration from the Blessed Virgin Mary, who for the members of the Institute of the Consolata Missionaries (IMC) and their female counterparts, the he Consolata Missionary Sisters (MC), goes by the title, Our Lady of Consolata.
“If we are faithful like Mary,” he said, “we too can be consoled, and we can console many others.”
For Archbishop Kivuva, “A parent should be like the mother who embraces. Consolata embraces refugees from various tribes, and even as we are here, we always enjoy our unity as a church.”
He encouraged parents to communicate openly with their children, particularly the youth, who he said are at risk of following negative habits such as drug abuse, bad influences, and unhealthy relationships.
“We must try to bring them together. As a Church, we must do that. That’s why we have youth groups. In their meetings, they share their problems and many begin to mature, preparing for adulthood and eventually marriage,” Archbishop Kivuva said.
He encouraged parents to create youth forums in families, Parishes, and workplaces to support and guide young people into becoming responsible adults.
“Let’s try to create that forum, even if it’s once in a while, once a month, let’s create that forum over a cup of tea,” he appealed, adding, “There is no place where people don’t want to be loved. Many hate being pushed away because they have no one to listen to them.”
Like Mary, who visited Elizabeth, Archbishop Kivuva urged young people to practice open communication with those they trust, such as uncles, aunties, and other extended family members, for guidance.
The Catholic Archbishop, who has been at the helm of Mombasa Archdiocese since February 2015, emphasized openness in families and the church, akin to Our Lady of Consolata, who shared her worries with her cousin Elizabeth.
