LET US UPHOLD HUMAN DIGNITY

We, the Catholic Bishops of Kenya, under the Kenya Episcopal Conference strongly object to the contents, tone, message and intentions in an article, which appeared in Daily Nation Newspaper of Friday July 13th , 2012 under the title Kenya Joins Global Birth Control Push.

The drive by foreign agencies, whose motives we hardly comprehend to target millions of girls and women in Africa for the artificial family planning programme by the year 2020 is unimaginable, dangerous and could lead to destruction of the human society and by extension the human race.

We cannot allow our country to be part of an international agenda, driven by foreign funds and by so doing, losing our independence and our African values of the family and society. The same foreign forces are dedicating billions of shillings promoting same sex unions while millions of women across are dying due to lack of proper maternal care facilities.

Furthermore, the use of contraceptives, especially as radically proposed in the article is both dehumanizing and goes against the Teaching of the church especially in a country like Kenya where a majority of the people are Christians and God fearing. It already threatens the moral fabric of the society and is an insult to the dignity and integrity of the human person.

We would like to remind the Government of Kenya that many countries, which took such decisions, are now regretting with declining populations and nobody to consume or enjoy the much  hyped development. This obviously means that strategies were drawn to develop countries without consideration of the centrality of the human person, the reason for any development.

We the Catholic Bishops in Kenya warn all Kenyans and the government that any development which does not protect the human person is meaningless and in vain. What is the use of development without all people and visions without values?Any development must be for the common good of people, as their security and protection.

It is not clear why such a large amount of money (Ksh 356 billion) is being used for contraceptives while many women are dying daily due to lack of proper medical care, food and housing. If such money or a portion of it was used to develop the under-developed parts of Kenya, the so-called threatening population of 64 million people in the year 2040 would be too low.

At a time when our people are greatly affected by HIV/AIDS and preventable road carnage, we cannot go further to condone efforts at reduction of life.

The Catholic Church in Kenya believes that 64 Million people are not too many, with proper planning where corruption, nepotism and individual egoistic trends are absent and a responsible government is in place. There are other efficient ways of proactive and Responsible Parenthood through the practice of Natural Family Planning.This of course demands discipline through abstinence, which is a necessary value in married life. This should not be rubbished as impossible.

We appeal to all Kenyans, men and women of good will to reject this Plan and to join forces in the liberation of women following the example of Christ’s own esteem for them. Nobody should be forced to abuse his/her dignity through contraceptives.

We pray that wisdom and love for all may prevail in our Country, especially as our Leaders make crucial decisions affecting our people and their future.