From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2013
Today is Sunday March 10, 2013, the 57th of my birthday and fourth Sunday of Lent. I celebrated 2 masses today. Specific theme for Kenya Episcopal Conference Justice and Peace Commission Lenten Campaign is ‘Reconciliation’.
This Sunday is known as Laetare Sunday and is a Sunday of joy. Rejoice, Jerusalem! Be glad for her, you who love her; rejoice with her, you who mourned for her, and you will find contentment at her consoling breasts.”
The Sunday was formerly called “Laetare Sunday” since its mood and theme was one of hope and rejoicing that Easter was near. The day is important because it is the day of the second scrutiny in preparation for the baptism of adults at the Easter Vigil.
The first reading is taken from the book of Joshua, 5:9, 10-12. It recounts the celebration of the Passover in the Promised Land by Joshua and those who had sojourned with him in the desert for 40 years.
The second reading is from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians, 5: 17-21. It talks of reconciliation of mankind with God as been brought about by Christ’s death on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for all those sins, thereby reconciling men to God; through this sacrifice we became the righteousness of God.
The Gospel is from St. Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. This reading recounts the parable of the Prodigal Son, one of Jesus’ most beautiful parables. It teaches us once more that God is a kind and understanding and merciful Father.
In its introductory message, the chairman of Justice and Peace Commission, Archbishop Zachaeus Okoth of Kisumu urges Kenyans to remain peaceful even if your preference leader was not elected on March 4, 2013. That we should accept the elected leaders, and those who want change them in court should do that peacefully.
In Kenya we are yet to honour what two parties agreed to tackle four main agenda items to end the political crisis and address its underlying causes. They include immediate action to stop Violence and restore fundamental rights.
To address the humanitarian crisis, and promoting healing and reconciliation- how to overcome the political crisis and tackling long term issues by addressing the cause and effects of historical injustices and gross violations of human rights-working towards national unity, reconciliation, and healing.
This is mandated to the Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission of Kenya which has the ability to investigate, analyze, and report on what happened between 1963 and 2008 in regards to gross violations of human rights, economic crimes, illegal acquisition of public land, marginalization of communities, ethnic violence, the context in which the crimes occurred, and educate the public about its work.
Since the TJRC does not have the power to prosecute, they can recommend prosecutions, reparations for victims, institutional changes, and amnesty in exchange for truth for perpetrators who did not commit gross human rights violations.
Although in terms of justice, lack of retributive justice has been a source of concern for many Kenyans, the commission can recommend prosecutions, there has been a long standing culture of impunity in the country, which threatens to keep political leaders safe from prosecution.
It is to be pointed out here very clearly that even though recommendations for redistribution of power and resources has been a focus of the mandate, conflicts have arisen due to imbalances in power, land, and resources between ethnic groups. Unless this is resolved, we cannot talk of genuine reconciliation in Kenya.
Moreover, an accurate, complete and historical record of violations and abuses of human rights, committed between 12 December 1963 and 28 February 2008, such as
abductions, disappearances, detentions, torture, murder, massacres, extrajudicial killings, crimes of sexual nature against female victims and expropriation of property suffered by any person has not yet been resolved.
In order to resolve once for all, there is need to investigate and provide redress of crimes of sexual nature against female victims. To investigate the context, causes and circumstances under which the gross violations of human rights occurred.
To identify actors who purported to have acted on behalf of any public body responsible for the gross violations of human rights, and persons who should be prosecuted for being responsible.
Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com
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Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.
-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ UN Disarmament Conference, 2002