LOCAL NEWS – 25.7.10 - BY MARY TIOKO - CONFIRMATIONS AT KANAMKEMER PARISH

The christian faithfuls received 188 new members in their midst in a colourful ceremony which was presided over by his Lordship Bishop Dominic Kimengich. The candidates were drawn from Nawoitorong, Kanamkemer and Nabuin. There were also commissioning of 30 Catholic Men Association and 80 Catholic Women Association members. The Parish Priests Fr. Joseph Okpala and Fr. Damien Eripon were also present in these two ceremonies. The auxilary Bishop told those confirmed that they have then received the gifts of the holy spirit which will direct them to do the right things in their lives and he told them to be witnesses and soldiers of christ to the rest of the world. Those commisioned took an oath of faithfulness to the church and to the rules of their associations. In his talk on the proposed constitution Fr. Damien Eripon stated the Position of the church and emphasised the need for respect of all people demanding respect from our political leaders to desist from using the political rallies to attack church leaders. Fr. Damien also cautioned the youth to keep off from leaders who incite them to disrupt church services on return of Money or any other thing. The priest insisted that we are still one Nation despite all hordes. Fr. Damien told the christians the three principles why the church rejects the proposed new constitution. He said that life needs to be respected and since the constitution allows abortion which is killing it is not the right document to be adopted and is against the 5th commanment of God of thy shall not Kill , the other item mentioned by the priest is the principle of equality where one relgion is elevated than the other and lastly the dignity of human person where the constitution provides various rights without reflecting on the need for a proper balance between rights and moral norms. The Parish Priest of kanamkemer Fr. Joseph Okpala reminded the congregation not to allow the repeat of what happened in 2007 to happen during this referendum.
Elsewhere at Lochwaa outstation of Lokichar parish , the facilitators from the technical team on the constitution from the Diocese of Lodwar had a succeeful talk on the stand of the church on the proposed constitution. The akicha reporter on the Ground reported that the faithfuls in the area received the information with a lot of enthusiasm and vowed to reject the proposed constitution come August 4th.